Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday the coming together of SAARC leaders will lead to effective outcomes and benefit citizens in the fight against coronavirus.
Soon after the Ministryof External Affairs announced that Modi will lead India at the video conferenceof all SAARC member countries to chalk out a strong common strategy to fightcoronavirus in the region, the prime minister said it is a timely action for a healthier planet.
“Tomorrow at 5 pm,leaders of SAARC nations will discuss, via conferencing, a roadmap to fight thechallenge of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus,” Modi wrote on Twitter.
“I am confidentthat our coming together will lead to effective outcomes and benefit ourcitizens,” he said.
Modi on Friday proposedformulation of a joint strategy by the South Asian Association for RegionalCooperation (SAARC) nations to fight coronavirus, a suggestion that was backedby all the member states.
“Comingtogether for common good! 15 March, 1700 IST. PM Narendra Modi will lead Indiaat the video conference of all SAARC member countries, to chalk out a strongcommon strategy to fight COVID-19 in the region,” MEA Spokesperson RaveeshKumar said in a tweet.
Pakistan’s response tothe proposal came late in the night with the country’s Foreign OfficeSpokesperson Aisha Farooqui saying the threat of COVID-19 required coordinatedefforts at global and regional levels.
“We have communicated that SAPM (Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister) on Health (Zafar Mirza) will be available to participate in the video conference of SAARC member countries on the issue,” she said.