SAARC nations thank PM Modi for vaccines; support all 5 proposals after COVID-19 workshop

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hosted a COVID-19 workshop with members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). During meeting, all countries including Pakistan supported PM’s five proposals, asking for a structured discussion for regional cooperation to take m forward. 

PM Modi had proposed to create a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses of SAARC nations allowing m to travel quickly within region during health emergencies on requirement of receiving country. Moreover, PM had also sought  civil aviation ministries of member nations to coordinate a regional air ambulance agreement for medical contingencies. A regional network for promoting techlogy-assisted epidemiology for preventing future pandemics was ar proposal that Prime Minister put forward. He had also strongly vocalized need to strengn regional solidarity outside of pandemic and encompassing or challenges as well. 

PM's address was well received with all member nations agreeing over  need for such cooperation on a regional basis for fighting future pandemics. Also, all countries (except Pakistan which has t received COVID-19 vaccines from India) thanked India and PM Modi for supply of vaccines and various medicines, equipment, and training, earlier in pandemic. 

Read: PM Modi To Address COVID-19 Workshop For 9 Neighbouring Countries, Pakistan To Participate

Read: India To Convene Workshop On COVID-19; SAARC Nations To Attend Meet On Feb 18

India hosts Coronavirus workshop

India hosted an international workshop on COVID-19 manment titled-- 'Experience, Good Practices & Way Forward' on February 18 with countries namely - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles in attendance. 

Last year in March amid pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initiated a meeting with Heads of governments from SAARC to discuss impact of Coronavirus in region and how South Asian nations could come up with a common strategy to tackle it. Here PM Modi had also proposed SAARC Corona Fund with India contributing $10 million to it. While it was attended by Heads of all SAARC nations, Pakistan Prime Minister had t participated in meeting and had sent his special adviser Zafar Mirza instead.

Emphasising its 'neighbourhood first' policy, India has sent millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines as grants to SAARC member nations. To date, India has supplied its 'Made in India' vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Seychelles Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Mauritius. Pakistan on or hand sought its vaccines from all-wear friend China which it later claimed was 't effective for people over 60 years of .' China had donated half a million doses of Sipharm vaccines to Pakistan in first week of February. 

Read: SAARC Health Professionals Meet To Discuss Coronavirus Measures Postponed

Read: Full Potential Of SAARC Can Only Be Realised In Atmosphere Free Of Terror: PM Modi