The idea to set up SAARC Coronavirus Emergency Fund was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assist in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the region

New Delhi: Taking a fresh swipe at Pakistan, India on Friday criticised Islamabad’s behaviour while announcing funding to the SAARC Covid-19 emergency fund. While pledging USD 3 million to the SAARC Coronavirus Emergency Fund, Pakistan had said yesterday that the funding should be used through the Secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) grouping in accordance with its charter.

This came after Pakistan on Wednesday boycotted a meeting of SAARC trade officials it was initiated by India and not the regional grouping’s secretariat.

Responding to Pakistan’s caveat while pledging USD 3 million to the COVID-19 fund, India's Ministry of External Affairs said today that “it is for each SAARC member to decide on timing, manner and implementation of their SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund commitments.”

While pledging the amount, Pakistan had said that funding should be used through the Secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) grouping in accordance with its charter.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office had in a statement that the country wants the fund to be utilised in a certain manner and the same was conveyed during a telephone conversation between Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and SAARC Secretary General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon.

"While communicating Pakistan's decision to the SAARC Secretariat, it has been conveyed that all proceeds of the fund should be administered by the SAARC Secretariat and that the modalities for the fund's utilisation should be finalised through consultations with the Member States as per the SAARC Charter," the statement read.

The MEA said: “Where India is concerned, the commitment made by the Prime Minister is in an advanced stage of implementation. Assistance in material and services has been extended to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.”

“These SAARC countries have also made early commitments to the COVID-19 Fund. The degree of seriousness of each nation can be gauged by their behaviour,” the MEA added.