March 19, 2020//-Indian Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi has invited leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on 15 March 2020 to discuss and map out regional strategy to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the region.
PM Modi underscored that the South Asia could set an example to the world, for regional coordination to address complex cross-border challenges.
He proposed for establishment of a SAARC Emergency Response Fund for COVID-19, with an initial US $ 10 million contribution from India; deployment by India of its specially-constituted Rapid Response Teams of medical and other professionals, and testing equipment, to any SAARC partner country; and offer of support by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for a platform of SAARC States to share ideas for diagnostic and the therapeutic intervention for epidemics.
India has taken comprehensive measures to combat COVID-19 at the National level and has also initiated efforts to work together at regional level in South Asia. This initiative may find relevance to be replicated globally on regional basis, especially in West Africa at ECOWAS level.
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