South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
Understanding SAARC The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political organization of eight countries in South Asia. It was founded in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. SAARC aims to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress, and cultural development. SAARC provides a platform for the countries of South Asia to work together and address common problems. It also helps to promote peace and stability in the region. A Brief History The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first mooted in the late 1970s. Following consultations, the foreign secretaries of the seven South Asian countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. Afghanistan joined SAARC as its eighth member in 2007. The Charter of SAARC was adopted at the first summit in Dhaka in 1985, formally establishi...