Lahore, 5th May: The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign MInisters in London got struck by the COVID-19 scare after two members of the Indian delegation tested positive.
The UK government on Wednesday confirmed that the members coming from India had tested positive for COVID-19 and have been quarantined immediately.
It is to be noted that the delegation arrived from India less than 72 hours ago for the Summit.
G7 Summit was described as ‘COVID-secure’ and steps were taken to ensure that every member attending the meeting had tested negative for the virus.
However, after the Indian members testing positive, the future of the Summit has been put in jeopardy with fears that a lot of other members may have been exposed to the virus.
According to reports, India is not a member of G7, however, the British government invited India to attend the first in-person meeting of the Summit that was held after two years in London this week.
The meeting was called prior to the full G7 Summit which is to take place in June in Cornwall, in which different heads of the states will be participating including Joe Biden and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar took to his Twitter account and wrote, “Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual model. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well.”
Was made aware yesterday evening of exposure to possible Covid positive cases. As a measure of abundant caution and also out of consideration for others, I decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode. That will be the case with the G7 Meeting today as well.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 5, 2021
However, people have raised concerns over India not being a member of the G7 Summit and were still called to attend the meeting.
Giving an update on the Indian delegates, Sky News journalist Joe Pike wrote on his Twitter account, “Hearing there is a COVID scare amongst India’s G7 delegates. Foreign Office keeping tight-lipped about who or where. India, not a member of G7 but they are attending and there is an Indian delegation in London. Nadhim Zahawi told @skynews this morning it was ‘news to me’.”
NEW: Hearing there is a COVID scare amongst India’s G7 delegates. Foreign Office keeping tight-lipped about who or where.
India not a member of G7 but they are attending and there is Indian delegation in London.
Nadhim Zahawi told @skynews this morning it was ‘news to me’.
— Joe Pike (@joepike) May 5, 2021
Pike raised questions at the organizers for not ensuring the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Senior government sources not denying there have been 2 positive cases amongst Indian delegation.
Questions for organisers about COVID safety precautions at event. Especially ahead of main G7 summit in Cornwall this June.
— Joe Pike (@joepike) May 5, 2021
He tweeted, “Senior government sources not denying there have been 2 positive cases amongst Indian delegation. Questions for organizers about COVID safety precautions at the event. Especially ahead of the main G7 summit in Cornwall this June.”
I'm also told:
-Indian delegation were given diplomatic exemptions to quarantine rules on arrival to UK.
-But a daily testing regime is in place.
-Indian delegates had meetings yesterday but due to social distancing/ mask wearing, PHE says not need for contacts to self-isolate.— Joe Pike (@joepike) May 5, 2021
As per the latest reports, Joe Pike revealed on Twitter, “I’m also told: -Indian delegation was given diplomatic exemptions to quarantine rules on arrival to the UK. But a daily testing regime is in place. Indian delegates had meetings yesterday but due to social distancing/ mask-wearing, PHE says not need for contacts to self-isolate.”
The UK government and the Indian High Commission in London did not comment on the matter.
It is pertinent to mention here that the G7 countries include the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. India is not a permanent member but a delegation was invited to the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
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