Even as the world is grappling for the scourge of coronavirus, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi took the initiative to propose a joint strategy for the South Asian countries to tackle the menace of the novel contagion.

PM Modi took to Twitter to make an appeal to the leaders of the SAARC countries to come together to chalk out an effective strategy against the Coronavirus. He added that discussions can be held via video conferencing to keep the citizens healthy. PM Modi also said that the united and synchronised efforts can set an example for the world to emulate and contribute towards building a healthier planet.

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. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020

Asserting that South Asia is home to a sizeable chunk of the global population, PM Modi exhorted the SAARC countries to leave no stone unturned to ensure the health and well-being of their people.

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. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020

The zoonotic contagion Coronavirus which most likely emerged from one of the streets of the wet markets in the central Chinese city of Wuhan was recently declared as a pandemic by the WHO after the disease was found to have transmitted at an alarming rate across the world. So far, approximately 4600 people have died of the contagion, with about 3000 in Mainland China alone. Outside Asia, Italy has been the worst-hit country as the death toll crossed the 1000-mark.

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Ibrahim Mohammad Solih, the president of the Maldives, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli, Bhutan PM Lotay Shering, and Srilankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa have welcomed PM Modi’s decision, promising their support.

South Asia too has been reeling under the novel coronavirus as the cases in India have steeply risen to 75, including the death of the 76-year-old Karnataka man who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia. Delhi has reported 6 confirmed corona cases while Uttar Pradesh has registered 10. Maharashtra has 11, Karnataka has 5 and Ladakh three. Kerala has reported 17 cases so far. Besides, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab have reported one case each.