Leaders from eight South Asian countries are calling for closer cooperation to cope with the new coronavirus pandemic.
The countries that form the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives – held a video conference on Sunday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed setting up an emergency fund to fight the coronavirus in the region and pledged an initial 10 million dollars.
So far, the countries have been spared the worst of the pandemic, with all eight seeing a combined 171 cases as of Sunday, according to the World Health Organization.
But there are fears that could change.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said his main concern was his country’s open border with Iran which is dealing with one of the world’s largest outbreaks.
Another pressing issue is the impact to the region’s economy.
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said they were worried about a drop in tourism, a main industry for both of their countries.
Source: NHK