Sharif lauds Modi’s idea of regular rescue exercises by SAARC nations

New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today advocated that SAARC countries should conduct regular exercises on disaster relief and rescue operations, an idea appreciated by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who suggested it be taken forward.
The conversation took place when the Pakistani Prime Minister called up Modi to condole the loss of lives in India due to the recent earthquake, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said here.
Sharif appreciated India’s efforts in the rescue operations in Nepal, the PMO said, adding that the two leaders discussed unseasonal rain and its adverse impact on crops.
On its part, the Pakistan Foreign Office’s statement released here by the High Commission noted: “The [Pakistan] Prime Minister reiterated what he had said during the last year floods on both sides of the Line of Control that natural disasters of this nature highlight the importance of a joint regional approach for their effective management.”
Officials in the High Commissioner here said, Sharif’s vision is “Peace for development and development for peace, region first”. This issue, the officials said, could figure at the next SAARC Summit to be hosted by Pakistan.
Sharif’s call came a day after reports from Islamabad quoted him as telling a Saudi Gazette that New Delhi did not respond to Islamabad’s desire for good relations, a promise he made to the people in Pakistan to work to improve ties with the neighbour.

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