Coronavirus: MEA announces e-training programme for SAARC member-states

Amid the raging Coronavirus crisis, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced e-training programmes for healthcare professionals in SAARC countries. The initiative is a result of Prime Minister Modi's 'prepare not panic' message. The training programmes will be conducted by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) committee commencing April 17.

READ: SAARC Trade Officials Agree To Work On Larger Framework For Boosting Intra-region Trade

E-training for SAARC healthcare professionals

As a part of the cooperation, India has offered several initiatives like COVID-19 fund by member countries, rapid response teams of doctors, online training sessions and video conferences. 

READ | 'Seriousness Can Be Gauged By Behaviour': MEA On Pak's SAARC COVID-19 Fund Contribution

SAARC meet initiated by India

Prime Minister Modi on March 15 in a video conference on forming a collective front combat fight Covid-19, proposed the emergency fund and asserted that the best way to deal with the coronavirus pandemic was by coming together, and not growing apart. Subsequently, Nepal and Afghanistan pledged $1 million each, Maldives committed $ 200,000, Bhutan $100,000, Bangladesh $1.5 million and Sri Lanka pledged $5 million to the fund. Founded in 1985, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation and geopolitical union of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

READ: Petty Pakistan Skipped India-led SAARC Covid Meeting Citing 'Secretariat Didn't Spearhead'

SAARC meet with trade officials 

In a video conference, trade officials of the SAARC countries mutually agreed to work on new ways to "sustain and expand" the intra-regional trade to offset the huge economic cost of the coronavirus pandemic. The officials also deliberated on creating a larger framework of trade facilitation and highlighted the need to enhance the quantum of intra-SAARC trade as the pandemic is likely to have a considerable impact on the region, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The deliberations took place as a follow up to an India-initiated video conference of SAARC leaders on March 15.

READ: Here's The Press Release Of Senior SAARC Health Professionals' Coronavirus Videoconference