Coronavirus pandemic: Saarc leaders to hold meeting Sunday

Leaders of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) member states are expected to join a video conference meeting on Sunday in a bid to come up with a strategic plan to prevent the spread of coronavirus outbreak.

“The videoconference of Saarc leaders to frame a strategy to counter coronavirus, mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to be held on Sunday,” the Hindustan Times, an Indian daily, reported on Saturday citing sources familiar with the development.

All member states of Saarc including Bangladesh have endorsed the proposal made by the Indian premier on Friday. Pakistan, the last member state to agree, has said its de-facto health minister will join the video conference, reports BSS.

In a tweet message on Friday, Prime Minister Modi proposed 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.

Modi said: “Together, we can set an example to rest of the world, and contribute to a healthier planet as our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus”.

“The 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 added.

Hours after Modi’s tweet, leaders of Saarc forum including Bangladesh gave reply supporting the Indian premier’s proposal towards collective efforts against the coronavirus outbreak that had spread over 121 countries and territories infecting over 134,300 people.

Pakistan announced shortly after midnight on Friday that Zafar Mirza, the special adviser on health to Prime Minister Imran Khan, would join the video conference.

The heads of government of the other six Saarc members are expected to join the video conference, the report said.