Maldives praises India for generous assistance amid coronavirus scare

Maldives has thanked India for generous assistance amid rising coronavirus cases.

During a video conference among SAARC leaders, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih highlighted the nation's dependency on tourism which he said is falling sharply due to the crisis.

"I too will begin by thanking PM Modi for this timely call for a regional initiative to combat the increasing threat of Coronavirus. No country on its own can succeed in combating the virus," he said.


I fully agree with PM Modi for a regional comprehensive strategy to fight the situation, he added.

Earlier, PM Modi exhorted SAARC leaders saying: "Our people-to-people ties are ancient and our societies are deeply interconnected. Therefore, we must all prepare together, act together and succeed together."

Modi on Friday had proposed formulation of a joint strategy by the SAARC nations to fight coronavirus, a suggestion that was backed by all the member states.

Calling on the SAARC nations to set an example for the world, Modi had reached out to the eight-member regional grouping and pitched for a video-conference among its leaders to chalk out a strong strategy to fight coronavirus, which has killed more than 5,000 people globally.

His appeal got a prompt response from Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa, Maldivian President Solih, Nepalese Prime Minister Oli, Bhutanese premier Tshering, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina and the Afghan government, all of whom welcomed the proposal.

Pakistan's response to the proposal came in after the rest, with the country's Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui saying the threat of COVID-19 required coordinated efforts at global and regional levels.