In a strong-worded communication, India has asked the European Union that either Covishield and Covaxin must be notified in its digital COVID certificate or people from the EU will face mandatory quarantine upon arrival in India.

The European Union has been told that Covishield and Covaxin must be notified in its digital Covid certificate, NDTV, quoting sources in the foreign ministry, said. 

Under the new "Green Pass" scheme, people vaccinated with Covishield are not allowed to travel to European Union member states.

The EU countries accept only the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency, which are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen.

But Covishield, which is the Indian version of AstraZeneca, is yet to get their approval.

On Tuesday, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took up the issue of clearance of Covishield in the Vaccination Passport with a top EU official.

"Discussed vaccine production and access. Took up 'Covishield' authorisation for travel to Europe. Will be following up," Jaishankar tweeted. (SAM)