KATHMANDU, March 22: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the decision of Nepal to allocate Rs 100 million for the COVID-19 Emergency Fund of SAARC to jointly fight against the coronavirus pandemic in the region. 

Prime Minister Modi tweeted that he deeply appreciates Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli for Nepal's contribution to the fund to make joint efforts to prevent and contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

“Deeply appreciate PM @kpsharmaoli's announcement of contribution of NPR 10 crores to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund,” he tweeted hours after Prime Minister Oli announced to allocate the amount from Nepal's side. 

During his address to the nation on Friday evening, Prime Minister Oli said that Nepal decided to allot the amount in the fund that seeks to provide requisite help to the SAARC nations. 

“We are committed to move forward with our neighbors, regional allies and international community in the spirit of mutual cooperation and goodwill,” the prime minister said in his address to the nation.

Indian Prime Minister Modi lauded the decision of Prime Minister Oli stating that it reflects his commitment to support the collective fight against the pandemic. “It reflects Oli Ji's commitment and support to the collective fight of SAARC countries against the pandemic,” he said.

The Indian prime minister had announced setting up of USD 10 million COVID-19 Emergency Fund for SAARC countries during a video conference of SAARC leaders held last Sunday. He had immediately offered USD 1 million from India's side in the fund.

In addition to Nepal, Bhutan has also offered to contribute USD 100,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund announced during the SAARC video conference to deal with coronavirus. Butanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering made the announcement to contribute the amount in the Fund on Friday.

 
• Indian_Prime_Minister_Narendra_Modi
 
• COVID-19_Emergency_Fund
 
• SAARC
 
• coronavirus