KATHMANDU, March 20: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali held a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar this afternoon.

During the conversation, both the ministers held discussion on enhancing cooperation and measures to combat the threat posed by the rapid spread of COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The two ministers underscored the necessity for maintaining smooth supply of goods and medical items between the two countries. They also discussed about having effective surveillance at the border to minimize the risk and vulnerabilities associated with Covid-19," read the press release.

Gyawali thanked the Government of India for offering help to Nepal to prevent Covid-19, including through the services of a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists, the MoFA said.