Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with the leaders of the SAARC countries through video conference to chart out a common strategy in order to combat COVID-19 in the region.
Shared History - Collective Future
Prime Minister thanked the leaders for joining the conference at such short notice. Stressing on the ancient people to people ties and interconnectedness of societies of the SAARC countries, he said it is imperative for the nations to prepare to face the challenge together.
The Way Forward
In the spirit of collaboration, Prime Minister Modi proposed creation of a COVID-19 Emergency Fund based on voluntary contributions from all the countries, with India making an initial offer of US $10 million for the fund. The fund can be used by any of the partner countries to meet the cost of immediate actions. He informed that India is assembling a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists, along with testing kits and other equipment, which will be on stand-by, to be placed at the disposal of the countries, if required.
Prime Minister also offered arranging for online training capsules for the emergency response teams of the neighbouring countries and sharing of software behind India’s Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal to help trace possible virus carriers and the people they contacted. He suggested that existing mechanisms like SAARC Disaster Management Centre can be used to pool in best practises.
He also suggested creation of a common Research Platform to coordinate research on controlling epidemic diseases within the South Asian region. He suggested further brainstorming by experts on the long-term economic consequences of COVID-19, and how best to insulate internal trade and local value chains from its impact.
The leaders thanked the Prime Minister for the proposed initiatives. Prime Minister reiterated the resolve to battle together and said that neighbourhood collaboration by SAARC countries should serve as a model for the world.
Sharing Experience
Prime Minister said the guiding mantra for India has been “prepare, but don’t panic”. He laid down the proactive steps taken, including a graded response mechanism, screening those entering the country, public awareness campaigns on TV, print and social media, special efforts to reach out to the vulnerable groups, ramping up of diagnostic facilities and developing protocols for each stage of managing the pandemic.
He said that India has not only successfully evacuated almost 1400 Indians from different countries but also evacuated some of the citizens of the neighbouring countries in accordance with the ‘neighbourhood first policy’.
President Ashraf Ghani said that the greatest vulnerability of Afghanistan is an open border with Iran. He proposed modelling diffusion patterns, creation of common framework for telemedicine and greater cooperation amongst the neighbouring countries.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih thanked the Indian government for the medical assistance from India to deal with COVID-19 cases and for evacuating nine Maldivians from Wuhan. He highlighted the negative impact of COVID-19 on tourism in the country and its impact on the nation’s economy. He proposed closer cooperation between the health emergency agencies of the countries, formulation of economic relief package and long term recovery plan for the region.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recommended that SAARC leaders work together to help economy tide over the difficult period. He also recommended establishment of a SAARC Ministerial level group to share best practises and coordinate regional matters on combating COVID-19.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked Prime Minister Modi for bringing 23 Bangladeshi students back from Wuhan along with Indian students during the quarantine period. She proposed continuance of the dialogue at technical level through video conference between Health Ministers and Secretaries of the region.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli apprised the SAARC leaders of the steps taken by Nepal to combat COVID-19 . He said that the collective wisdom and efforts of all the SAARC nations could help in devising a robust and effective strategy to deal with the pandemic.
Prime Minister Doctor Lotay Tshering said the pandemic does-not follow geographical boundaries, hence it is all the more important for the nations to work together. He said the pandemic will affect the smaller and vulnerable economies disproportionately, talking about the economic impact of COVID-19.
Doctor Zafar Mirza proposed that SAARC Secretariat be mandated to establish a working group of national authorities for health Information, data exchange and coordination in real time. He proposed hosting SAARC Health Ministers’ conference and development of regional mechanisms to share disease surveillance data in real time.
I would like to thank you all for joining this special interaction at short notice.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
I specially thank our friend Prime Minister Oli who has joined us almost immediately after his recent surgery: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
As we all know, COVID-19 has recently been classified by W.H.O. as a pandemic.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
So far, our region has listed fewer than 150 cases.
But we need to remain vigilant: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
As we prepare to face this challenge, let me briefly share India’s experience of combating the spread of this virus so far.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
“Prepare, but don’t panic” has been our guiding mantra: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
We started screening entry into India from mid-January itself, while also gradually increasing restrictions on travel.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
The step-by-step approach has helped avoid panic: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
We have made special efforts to reach out to vulnerable groups.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
We have worked to quickly ramp up capacity in our system including through training our medical staff across the country: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
We also responded to the call of our people abroad. We evacuated nearly 1400 Indians from different countries. We also similarly helped some of the citizens of our neighborhood countries: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
President @ashrafghani of Afghanistan now sharing his views on the “unknown territory” the world now finds itself in and need for a common cooperative framework #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
It is clear that we have to work together. We can respond best by – Coming together not growing apart ; Collaboration not Confusion ; Preparation not Panic: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
I propose we create a COVID-19 Emergency Fund. This could be based on voluntary contributions from all of us. India can start with an initial offer of 10 million US dollars for this fund: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
We are assembling a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists in India, along with testing kits and other equipment. They will be on stand-by, to be placed at your disposal, if required: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
We had set up an Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal to better trace possible virus carriers and the people they contacted. We could share this Disease Surveillance software with SAARC partners, and training on using this: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
Looking ahead, we could create a common Research Platform, to coordinate research on controlling epidemic diseases within our South Asian region. The Indian Council of Medical Research can offer help coordinating such an exercise: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
President @ashrafghani , welcomes various new initiatives suggested by PM @narendramodi and suggests all countries to keep a close focus on the next months on the evolving situation #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
President @ashrafghani , welcomes various new initiatives suggested by PM @narendramodi and suggests all countries to keep a close focus on the next months on the evolving situation #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
President @GotabayaR says that many lessons were learnt from sharing of experiences in the Video Conference and thanks PM @narendramodi for offering assistance like testing kits to regional countries #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanks PM @narendramodi for organizing the Video Conference, discussion on various new ideas and calls for continued dialogue between our experts and officials on follow-up actions #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
. @PM_Nepal underlines the importance of community awareness and effective mobilization to control the spread of virus. Welcomes regional initiatives taken by PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
Dr. Lotay Tshering @PMBhutan welcomes setting up of COVID Relief Fund and acknowledges the contribution of health care professionals in combating the virus. #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
Dr. Zafar Mirza @zfrmrza thanks PM @narendramodi and calls for sustained pro-active actions on behalf of member countries to combat the spread of virus #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
Some partners have made specific requests, including about medicine and equipment. My team has taken careful note of these. Let me assure you, that we will do our best for our neighbours: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
We have to fight this battle together, and we have to win it together.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 15, 2020
Our neighbourhood collaboration should be a model for the world: PM @narendramodi #SAARCfightsCorona
