Prime Minister Modi’s proposal for SAARC came a day after India reported its first death from coronavirus

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the ASEAN-India Summit on the sideline of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand November 3, 2019/ Reuters

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the leadership of SAARC nations should chalk out a strong strategy to fight coronavirus.

He also added "South Asia should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy," reports Hindustan Times.

He tweeted this message today.

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. March 13, 2020

Prime Minister Modi's proposal for SAARC came a day after India reported its first death from coronavirus and the number of new cases continues to be on the rise. The country has recorded 75 cases so far.

A day earlier, PM Modi had said that no central government minister will travel abroad in the coming days.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Earlier, India's neighbouring country Bangladesh has postponed the March 17 grand inaugural ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations of its founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after three coronavirus cases were detected in the country.

PM Modi visit to Dhaka to participate in the event was postponed and he will now join the celebrations through video conference.

Covid-19 has claimed over 4,600 lives and infected more than 125,048 people across 118 countries and territories since it originated in China late in December last year.