'SAARC nations can together mitigate coronavirus impact': Pradhan

Union Minister Dharmendra Prhan on Wednesday exuded confidence that coming toger of SAARC nations to fight against coronavirus will bear fruit and help mitigate effects of virus in souast Asian subcontinent. Prhan was reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal of setting up a COVID-19 emergency fund to deal with pandemic.

Making a strong pitch for SAARC nations to jointly combat virus, Modi h on Sunday committed USD 10 million for emergency fund, and asserted that best way to deal with pandemic was by coming toger and t growing apart.

"I am confident that through this initiative of combined efforts of our medical professionals and researchers, we will be able to contain, reduce and eventually mitigate effects of Covid-19 in souast Asian subcontinent," Prhan said in a media statement.

This, he said, t only indicates India's seriousness towards containing viral outbreak, which recognizes border, but also deep bonds of amity that India shares with subcontinent, he said. Terming move as "humane and far-sighted step", Prhan said it will serve as an example for world.