New Delhi (BBN)-Indian PM Narendra Modi Wednesday suggested a joint exercise of disaster management forces of South Asian countries for a collective response to natural calamities while talking to visiting Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in Delhi.
Hasina, who was in Delhi to attend the cremation of Suvra Mukherjee, the wife of President Pranab Mukherjee, welcomed Modi's suggestion as the two leaders met for about half an hour at Modi’s official residence, Hasina's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told the Economic Times.
This is the second meeting between the two neighbouring PMs since Modi’s Dhaka visited in June.
Modi's idea of a joint exercise assumes significance in view of the fact that this region is one the world's poorest areas and vulnerable to natural disasters.
Last year, Modi had suggested the launch of a SAARC satellite to assist in weather forecasting and setting up education and telemedicine networks among the South Asian countries.
BBN/SK/ANS