President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to partake in regional discussions to develop a strategy to fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic.
PM Modi on Friday proposed that the leadership of SAARC nations sit down via video conferencing to discuss a strategy to tackle the coronavirus.
"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," wrote Modi on Twitter.
Responding to the tweet, President Solih thanked PM Modi for taking the initiative to lead the discussions. He wrote that the Maldives welcomes the proposal and said the archipelago would fully support such a regional effort. He added that the COVID-19 requires collective effort to defeat it.
COVID-19 has been discovered in 145 countries and territories around the world. While 9 cases have been confirmed in the Maldives, India has over 80 confirmed cases. Several other Asian countries also have positive cases, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan.
