Kathmandu, Mar. 13
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi Friday proposed a
joint strategy of the SAARC countries to fight coronavirus (COVID-19) in the
region which is likely to revive the stalled SAARC process.
The PM of the largest country in the region with the second
largest population in the world had also expressed his desire to organise a
video conferencing to discuss ways to keep the people healthy.
“I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC
nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight coronavirus. We could discuss, via
video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy,” he tweeted via his
personal twitter account instead of the official account of the Prime Minister
of India.
Prime Minister Modi also stated that together the leaders of
the region could set an example to the world and contribute to a healthier
planet.
“Our planet is battling the COVID-19. South Asia, which is
home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone
unturned to ensure our people are healthy,” he said.
PM Modi’s appeal got an instant welcome from Prime Minister
KP Sharma Oli as well as Prime Minister of
Bhutan Lotay Tshering and Nepal, presidents of the Maldives Ibrahim
Mohamed Solih and Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksha and the SAARC Secretariat.
Appreciating the proposal of his Indian counterpart, PM Oli
expressed Nepal’s readiness to work closely with the SAARC countries in
containing the coronavirus and keep the people safe.
“I welcome the idea of Prime Minister Modiji for chalking
out a strong strategy by the leadership of the SAARC nations to fight
coronavirus. My government is ready to work closely with SAARC member states to
protect our citizens from this deadly disease,” tweeted PM Oli.
Likewise, the SAARC Secretariat tweeted that it welcomed the
timely proposal of the Indian PM as well as the support of other SAARC leaders.
According to the tweet, the SAARC Secretariat stands ready to work with all
member states towards a strong strategy to fight the coronavirus in the region.
Likewise, Sri Lankan President Rajapaksha also took to the
Twitter to express his solidarity with Modi’s proposal. Thanking him for the
‘great’ initiative, Rajapaksha pledged Sri Lankan support to join the
discussion and share the learning and best practices from other members of the
regional body.
“Let’s unite in solidarity during these trying times and
keep our citizens safe,” he said.
Bhutanese PM Tshering went a step ahead in praising the
Indian PM saying, “This is what we call leadership.”
“As members of this region, we must come together in such
times. Small economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate,” he said. He was
hopeful of immediate and impactful outcome of Modi’s initiative.
All the leaders welcomed the idea of video-conferencing.
Nepali diplomat and former ambassador to the United Nations
Madhu Raman Acharya said that COVID-19 pandemic reminded the utility of
regional cooperation within the SAARC countries.
“It is good that Nepal’s PM KP Oli, current chairperson of
SAARC, has accepted the idea of India’s Prime Minister Modi for video conference
to chalk out regional strategy against COVID-19,” he tweeted.
He suggested that among other things, the SAARC leaders
could agree to activate a ‘rapid response mechanism’, and set up a mechanism
for exchange of information designating nodal agencies and set aside at least
some unused fund in the SAARC (US$50 million) to start fighting the pandemic
regionally.
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