Coronavirus: Modi calls for SAARC nations’ conference to build strateg
Agencies
NEW DELHI: In the wake of the rapid spread of coronavirus infections across countries, including South Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a conference among leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka to discuss a strategy to combat the disease.
“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,” Modi said in a Twitter post.
SAARC refers to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation – which groups together all the countries in the South Asian region. The grouping was born in the mid-1980s but has little to show for itself given that progress on issues like regional integration and connectivity have been minimal mainly due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Pakistan was to host a summit of SAARC leaders in 2016 but India, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh pulled out of the meet citing Pakistan’s support to terrorism as not conducive for regional cooperation. No summit of SAARC has been held since.
“Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it. South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy,” Modi said in a second post.
All South Asian countries — Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan — have reported coronavirus cases, according to the World Health Organisation website. India has recorded one death and 79 cases of SARS-CoV2 infections so far.
Earlier this week, India sent medical assistance to the Maldives to help the country deal with its cases and detection.
It is unclear whether Modi’s move is a gesture towards engaging Islamabad on issues other than those emerging out of the coronavirus outbreak.
Tensions have been high between India and Pakistan since February 2019 when a suicide bomber blew up a car full of explosives near an Indian security convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 personnel. India bombed a terrorist training camp in Pakistan, and Islamabad retaliated targeting military installations in Kashmir.
Tensions mounted again after India revoked the special status granted to Kashmir under its Constitution and integrated the region more closely with the rest of the country. Pakistan, infuriated by India’s so called unilateral action, has been highlighting what it calls human rights abuses in Kashmir and calling for mediation from third parties and countries.
