Twitter
Advertisement

Coronavirus Outbreak: All SAARC nations respond to Prime Minister Modi's call, video conference on Sunday at 5 PM

SAARC stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation with eight members including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The SAARC video conference on coronavirus outbreak, which was suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, will take place on Sunday evening at 5 PM.

SAARC stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation with eight members including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

In a series of tweets yesterday, Prime Minister Modi had written, "Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it. South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy."

I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus, he had said. 

We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy, Modi had suggested. 

"Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet," he had added.

 

 

Earlier yesterday, all other SAARC countries had welcome the idea and affirmed participation in the meet.

The Prime Minister of Bhutan, The Prime Minister of Nepal, The President of Sri Lanka, and the President of Maldives had all taken to Twitter to let know of their acceptance of the proposal, calling it "necessary".

Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner N Kadurugamuwa had told Zee Media, "This is a good initiative by Prime Minister Modi to fight against the deadly coronavirus epidemic that is threatening the
world. We welcome this timely initiative."

Afghanistan, as well, had accepted the Indian government's proposal. Afghan government spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi told Zee Media, "We believe that it is an important call, and the Afghan government welcomes it. Looking forward to working with all the SAARC members".

Afghan envoy to India Tahir Qadiry referred to Modi's proposal on joint SAARC strategy to tackle the coronavirus threat as "timely", adding, "United we stand, Divided we fall".

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen, while confirming Dhaka's representation, also said that Modi's was a "good proposal".

Pakistan will be represented by Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) of Pakistan on Health.

In a tweet, the spokesperson of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Aisha Farooqui, said, "The threat of COVID-19 requires coordinated efforts at global and regional level. We have communicated that SAPM on Health will be available to participate in the video conference of SAARC member countries on the issue."

 

 

This has been conveyed to the Indian side through diplomatic channels as well. 

Measure is also seen as the revival of tw grouping. SAARC as a grouping has been defunct since 2016 after 2016 terror attack in Uri, India in which 19 Indian soldiers. The attack was planned by Pakistan based terrorist which led to India boycotting the summit in Islamabad that year. New Delhi was joined by other SAARC countries to boycott the 2016 Islamabad summit and since then India has been focusing on BIMSTEC grouping whose leaders were called for the other taking ceremony of PM Modi for his 2nd term last year.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement