Modi seeks help from SAARC countries to escape Corona

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed that the SAARC nations work together to fight the sweeping coronavirus threat that has affected over 1.3 lakh people globally and killed over 4,500.

Proposing that SAARC leaders chalk out a "strong strategy to fight coronavirus", Modi said the leader can discuss via video conferencing ways to keep citizens healthy.

"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," Modi tweeted.

India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka are members of SAARC (The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).

Modi's pitch to the SAARC nations comes at a time India has reported over 70 cases of coronavirus and one death. Pakistan has seen 20 coronavirus cases so far.

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, Modi said in another tweet.

At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it," he added. _Agencies

Dhaka/AKA