Amid Coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a diplomatic surprise on Friday by reaching out to the SAARC nations and urging its leaders to come together to fight the coronavirus outbreak. Now, all the SAARC members have welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal for forming a strong strategy for eight-nation grouping.
Modi on SAARC meeting
Yesterday, PM Modi communicated through his Twitter account stating that with a significant number of the global population in the region, one “should leave no stone unturned to ensure all people are healthy” in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020
Modi urged all SAARC nations’ to build a strategy to fight the grief together. The move comes at a time India has registered its first death from coronavirus and its total cases have climbed to 85, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Simultaneously, India has so far restricted a mass outbreak of coronavirus cases in the country but witnessed a constant rise in numbers in the last 10 days.
In the next tweet, PM suggested that there could be a discussion through “video conferencing” on his proposal of leadership at SAARC nations to bring out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus
“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. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet,” the PM tweeted in the morning.
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.
Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020
The 8 nation responds
After the proposal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka welcomed Modi’s suggestion given that all South Asian countries should work together.
Afghanistan Envoy Tahir Qadri said, ‘I would like to acknowledge his call. United we stand, divided we fall’.
The Afghan Government strongly welcomes the proposal of HE The Prime Minister of India and readiness of the other SAARC members to work together devising a unified strategy to fight the Coronavirus in the region. https://t.co/vhzRcdNVWi
— Sediq Sediqqi (@SediqSediqqi) March 13, 2020
Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, responding to the proposal said, “As members of this region, we must come together in such times. Smaller economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate”.
“With your leadership, I have no doubt we will see the immediate and impactful outcome. Looking forward to the video conference,” he added.
This is what we call leadership. As members of this region, we must come together in such times. Smaller economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate. With your leadership, I have no doubt we will see immediate and impactful outcome. Looking forward to the video conference. https://t.co/2RnokAJQOs
— PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) March 13, 2020
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina too welcomed PM Modi’s proposal and said that the country looks forward to an important dialogue with the Indian Prime Minister.
HPM Sheikh Hasina welcomes the proposal and look forward to a constructive dialogue with @narendramodi @ibusolih @PM_Nepal @PMBhutan @GotabayaR n others HOSs/HOGs who already consented to discuss way forward at this testing time for the region and the world. https://t.co/62Jl506UsI
— Md. Shahriar Alam (@MdShahriarAlam) March 13, 2020
Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Oli tweeted that his “government is ready to work closely with the SAARC Member States to protect our citizens from this deadly disease”.
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also responded, tweeting: “Thank you for the great initiative Shri Narendra Modi. (We) are ready to join the discussion and share our learnings and best practices and to learn from other #SAARC members”.
Thank you for the great initiative Shri @narendramodi – #LKA is ready to join the discussion & share our learnings & best practices and to learn from other #SAARC members. Let’s unite in solidarity during these trying times and keep our citizens safe. https://t.co/fAiT5w3O8D
— Gotabaya Rajapaksa (@GotabayaR) March 13, 2020
From Pakistan, Imran Khan’s spokesperson responded through twitter. “The threat of COVID-19 requires coordinated efforts at the global and regional level. We have communicated that SAPM (special assistant to Prime Minister) on Health will be available to participate in a video conference of SAARC member countries on the issue,” the tweet read.
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.
— Spokesperson ?? MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) March 13, 2020
Maldives President Ibrahim Solih also welcomed the proposal.
Thank you PM @narendramodi for taking the initiative on this important endeavor. Covid 19 requires collective effort to defeat it. Maldives welcomes this proposal and would fully support such a regional effort. https://t.co/2fxQxe9w1h
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) March 13, 2020
