ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with his Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday, and appreciated India’s efforts in the rescue operations in earthquake-hit Nepal.
On Saturday, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal as well as some parts of neighbouring India and Tibet. Resultantly, more than 6,000 people lost their lives in Nepal while over 80 were killed in India and Tibet.
During the talks with Modi, Nawaz Sharif also expressed condolences on the loss of lives in various parts of India due to the earthquake.
Modi suggested to Nawaz that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries should hold routine joint exercises pertaining to disaster relief and rescue.
The Indian prime minister also said that the SAARC countries could collaborate and hold such annual exercises for rescue teams and doctors and work on measures to reduce damage during natural disasters.
The two leaders also discussed the detrimental effect of unseasonal rains on crops.
Got a call from PM Nawaz Sharif. He expressed condolences on the loss of lives in various parts of India due to the Earthquake.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2015
PM Nawaz Sharif appreciated India’s efforts in the rescue operations in Nepal. I thank him for his kind words.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2015
I suggested to PM Sharif that SAARC nations should conduct regular joint exercises on disaster relief & rescue.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2015
SAARC Nations can come together & hold annual exercises of rescue teams, doctors etc on how we can minimise damage during natural disasters.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2015
PM Sharif appreciated this idea & told me that we should take up such an initiative.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2015
PM Sharif & I also discussed the unseasonal rains and its adverse impact on the crops.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2015