Coronavirus: Saarc leaders agree to join Modi's video conference meeting

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries to convene over video conferencing was welcomed by the regional leaders.

Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka welcomed Modi's offer given that all South Asian countries have reported SARS-COV2 infection cases.

"I would like to propose that the leadership of Saarc nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight coronavirus. We could discuss, via videoconferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy," Modi tweeted on Friday afternoon.

"Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet," the tweet continued. 

In another tweet, at the same time, Modi said, "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," he said.

The Indian Prime Minister called for the joint strategy a day after the first case of death from Covid-19 in India was reported on Thursday.

A 76-year-old man from Kalburgi city, 575 km north of Bengaluru in India's southwestern state of Karnataka, passed away on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Friday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has welcomed Modi's proposal and look forward to a constructive dialogue with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and other heads of state and government who have already agreed to discuss way forward at this testing time for the region and the world.

He made the remarks in a re-tweet in Modi's tweet.

Other Saarc countries have also agreeded to Modi's proposal. Nepal and Bhutan's prime ministers have welcomed the suggestion through tweets.

Besides, the death toll from the coronavirus has crossed 5,000 globally as of Friday evening.

According to worldometer, the Covid-19 disease killed a total of 5,082 people as of Friday evening. Besides, it has infected 138,271 people around the world.

Of them, 62,470 are currently infected while 70,719 patients recovered.

The coronavirus has affected 132 countries and territories around the world, and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).