External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the annual Informal Meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers today.<br />'' <br />''The meeting, chaired by Nepal, was held in virtual mode and saw participation of all SAARC member states.<br />'' <br />''It reviewed regional efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />'' <br />''External Affairs Ministry said in a release that the participants appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in convening a video conference of SAARC Leaders on 15th March to take collaborative measures towards combating the pandemic across the region.<br />'' <br />''Dr. Jaishankar, in his statement, reiterated India's steadfast commitment to SAARC in building a connected, integrated, secure and prosperous South Asia.<br />'' <br />''He highlighted a slew of measures taken by India in the follow-up to the SAARC Leaders video conference, including virtually convening health professionals and trade officials meetings, and creating a 'COVID-19 Information Exchange Platform.<br />'' <br />''The Minister informed that under India's contribution to SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund, supply of essential drugs, medical consumables, COVID protection and testing kits, and other equipment amounting to 2.3 million dollars were made available to countries in the SAARC region.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Dr. Jaishankar called upon SAARC member states to collectively resolve to defeat the scourge of terrorism, including the forces that nurture, support and encourage an environment of terror and conflict.</span><br />