Pakistan has hinted that it is ready to work with India to deal with coronavirus pandemic. Both India and Pakistan have been at odds with each other ever since New Delhi abrogated the contentious Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.
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Earlier, Indian PM Narendra Modi said that the leadership of SAARC nations should chalk out a strong strategy to fight coronavirus and South Asia “should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy.”
“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,” the PM tweeted
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020
The PM also suggested the leaders could discuss, via video conferencing. ways to “keep our citizens healthy”. “I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus.
We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.”
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Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui at her weekly news briefing said that Islamabad was ready to extend assistance to neighbours. “Government of Pakistan is monitoring the situation very closely and will take measures required for the citizens within Pakistan and any assistance we can provide to our neighbouring countries (including India),” the spokesperson added.
The threat of #COVID-19 requires coordinated efforts at global and regional level. We have communicated that SAPM on Health will be available to participate in the video conference of #SAARC member countries on the issue.
— Spokesperson ?? MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) March 13, 2020
“It is the primary responsibility of those countries to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Pakistan is also taking all the requisite steps at our borders and airports to ensure the safety of our people and control the spread of Coronavirus,” she said.
The proposal of PM Modi was welcomed by many countries including Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Pakistani media termed the response from the government of Pakistan on the proposal of PM Modi as positive. It has been said that this is the first time since ties strained between two nations, that both nations have agreed on something.
