Both India and the UK expressed worries about the lack of inclusivity in the new government by the Taliban following their takeover.
Both countries voiced concerns about the lack of inclusivity in the new setup created by the Taliban following the group’s takeover of Afghanistan last month and also said that Afghan soil should not become a hub for terrorism.
This was the Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s first meeting with Truss since she was appointed the UK foreign secretary last week, replacing Dominic Raab. Truss has played a pivotal role in improving trade ties with India in her former role as secretary of state for international trade.
Afghanistan, vaccine protocol discussed as the UK, India foreign ministers meet. The situation in Afghanistan and the early resolution of the issue of Indian travelers to the UK having to quarantine for 10 days was discussed between external affairs minister S.
Jaishankar and his British counterpart Liz Truss during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
“Exchanged views on developments in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific. Urged early resolution of quarantine issue in mutual interest,” Jaishankar tweeted after his meeting with Truss on Monday.
Jaishankar said he had also discussed progress on the Roadmap 2030 that aims to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership over the next decade.
The road map was adopted at a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson in May when the two sides also launched an Enhanced Trade Partnership and opened plans to finalize an interim trade deal by mid-2022.
The concern of vaccine certification surfaced as a fresh annoyance in India-UK ties as Indian nationals who have received even the AstraZeneca vaccine as considered to be unvaccinated under new British travel rules that will come into effect from October 4.
The UK said on Monday it is working with India on the recognition of COVID-19 vaccine certification issued by Indian authorities following criticism of the new travel restrictions.