G7 Embarrassment: 2 Indian Delegates COVID Positive, Jaishankar Forced To Go Virtual

In an embarrassing development, two members of the Indian delegation now in London to take part in the G7 meeting were found to be COVID-19 positive, British news channel Sky News reported.

It led to Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, who is leading the delegation, to change plans and announce that he will conduct all his engagements at the G7 conclave in virtual mode.

“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,” Jaishankar tweeted.

On Monday, Jaishankar had met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

ANI reported that all Indian delegates are in isolation.

“For the moment, Indian delegation members are in isolation. Nobody is unwell. Some of them are vaccinated fully. We will have clarity on what UK health authorities are suggesting later…. We are waiting for more information from London,” sources told ANI.

Host UK has invited members from the other six member countries — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US. The European Union is present as an observer.

This is the first time in more than two years that the group’s foreign ministers are meeting in person.