Several SAARC countries accept PM Modi’s invitation

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih meeting with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. (Photo/President's Office)

The leaders of several SAARC countries have accepted an invitation by the Prime Minister of India to discuss a joint strategy against the Covid-19 via teleconferencing.

“Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it,” PM Modi said on Twitter.

South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population, should leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people are healthy, PM Modi said.

“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 said.

“Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet,” Modi said.

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

Responding to the invitation, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of Maldives thanked PM Modi for taking the initiative and noted the collective effort needed to defeat the virus.

“The Maldives welcomes this proposal and would fully support such a regional effort.” wrote the president on Twitter.

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

Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa also thanked PM Modi for the initiative before stating that his country was ready to join the discussion share knowledge best practices.

“Let’s unite in solidarity during these trying times and keep our citizens safe,” wrote the Sri Lankan president on Twitter.

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

Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan also tweeted in support of the proposal and hailed the Indian PM’s leadership in the matter.

“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 the immediate and impactful outcome.” the PM of Bhutan stated on Twitter.

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

Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli also accepted the invitation and said that the government of Nepal was ready to work closely with the SAARC Member States to protect citizens from the deadly disease now declared as a global pandemic.

I welcome the idea advanced by Prime Minister Modiji @narendramodi 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.
— KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal) March 13, 2020

India has had the highest number of confirmed cases of the disease with 75 and has also reported one death. Three people have also recovered after contracting the disease in India.