Coronavirus: Modi proposes COVID-19 emergency fund for SAARC nations, offers $10 million
Posted on March 15th, 2020
Courtesy Scroll.in
The prime minister said ‘prepare but do not panic’ was India’s motto as it tackled the virus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the video conference of SAARC nations to tackle coronavirus on Sunday. | BJP/Twitter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday proposed to set up a COVID-19 emergency fund for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation nations to help tackle the spread of the virus, and said India can initially offer $10 million, reported The Hindu.Modi had on Friday called on the other seven SAARC nations – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – to chalk out a strategy to fight the pandemic.
As we all know, COVID-19 has recently been classified by the World Health Organisation as a pandemic. So far, our region has listed fewer than 150 cases. But we need to remain vigilant,” Modi said in his opening address. I propose that we create a COVID-19 emergency fund. India can start by contributing $10 million.”
The Indian prime minister also listed out the country’s experience with the virus, and highlighted various measures taken to prevent its outbreak. We evacuated nearly 1,400 citizens, including some from our neighbouring countries,” Modi said. We recognize other countries are also concerned about safety of citizens in India. So we briefed foreign diplomats.”