On September 24, 2020 External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar participated in the Annual Informal Meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Council of Ministers. The Annual Meeting was chaired by Nepal and was held in virtual mode.
Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, chaired the Informal Meeting, attended by External Affairs Ministers of all the Member States of SAARC.
Highlights:
i.The Meeting reviewed regional efforts in combating the COVID-19 Pandemic.
ii.He highlighted the measures taken by India such as virtually convening health professionals and trade officials meeting, creating a ‘COVID-19 Information Exchange Platform (COINEX), foreign currency swap support and activation of SAARC Food Bank Mechanism.
iii.Jaishankar informed the Meeting about India’s contribution to SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund, supply of essential drugs, medical consumables, COVID protection and testing kits and other equipment amounting to USD 2.3 Million.
Recent Related News:
i.On March 16, 2020 PM Modi proposed the creation of COVID-19 Emergency Fund through voluntary contributions from all SAARC Nations. India has offered the US $10 million for the fund.
About South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC):
Secretary General – Esala Ruwan Weerakoon
Headquarters – Kathmandu, Nepal
