In their effort to further hasten efforts to jointly fight the coronavirus pandemic, health professionals of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC ) nations will hold a video-conference on March 26. The SAARC nations include India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Announcing this, the ministry of external affairs said the conference will be held to exchange experience of combatting corona virus so far including specific proposals dealing with the screening at entry points, contact tracing, quarantine and isolation facilities.
For his part, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held telephonic talks with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to review measures undertaken to meet the challenge. The two leaders discussed evolving situation in the region and reaffirmed their commitment to boost co-operation.
This telephonic parley came days after Modi took the lead in south Asian region and held video conference with heads of states of SAARC nations. That conference saw all the countries agreeing to jointly fight the pandemic with India also setting a fund of 10 million dollars to meet any contingency in the region and urged other nations to pool in.
During the conference the Indian prime minister also said more such interactions at various levels of decision makers will take place in the coming days to deal with the evolving situation. It is in line with the PM’s commitment that the health professionals of the SAARC nations will hold a video-conference on March 26.
Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh have offered initial assistance to the Covid Fund created by SAARC nations. India has donated 10 million dollars in the fund while Si Lanka has five million dollars. Maldives has donated two million dollars, Bangladesh 1.5 million dollars and Afghanistan one million dollars for the Covid-19 Fund.