Information on SAARC

SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Established: 8th Dec 1985
Secretariat: Kathmandu 17 Jan 1987

SAARC Member States:

1. Nepal
2. India
3. Bangladesh
4. Pakistan
5. Bhutan
6. Srilanka
7. Maldives
8. Afghanistan

SAARC Observers:

1. Japan
2. Australia
3. China
4. Korea
5. Myanmar
6. America (United States)
7. Mauritius
8. Iran
9. European Union

Objectives of SAARC

The objectives of the Association as outlined in the SAARC Charter are:

1. to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life;
2. to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials;
3. to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia;
4. to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems;
5. to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;
6. to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;
7. to strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests; and
8. to cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

SAARC area of cooperation

1. Human Resource Development and Tourism
2. Agriculture and Rural Development
3. Environment, Natural Disasters and Biotechnology
4. Economic, Trade and Finance
5. Social Affairs
6. Information and Poverty Alleviation
7. Energy, Trasport, Science and Technology
8. Education, Security and Culture
9. Others (The idea of Meeting of SAARC Cabinet Secretaries was suggested by India in the year 2008 to discuss professional issues of common concern such as administrative reform, procedural simplifications and implementation of development programs relevant to SAARC Countries which was welcomed by the Member States.)

SAARC Summit:

Summits are usually held biennially hosted by a Member State in alphabetical order.

1. Dhaka Bangladesh: 7-8 December 1985
2. Bangalore India: 16-17 November 1986
3. Kathmandu Nepal: 2-4 November 1987
4. Islamabad Pakistan: 29-31 December 1988
5. Male' Maldives: 21-23 November 1990
6. Colombo Srilanka: 21 December 1991
7. Dhaka Bangladesh: 10-11 April 1993
8. New Delhi India: 2-4 May 1995
9. Male' Maldives: 12-14 May 1997
10. Colombo Srilanka: 29-31 July 1998
11. Kathmandu Nepal: 4-6 January 2002
12. Islamabad Pakistan: 2-6 January 2004
13. Dhaka Bangladesh: 12-13 November 2005
14. New Delhi India: 3-4 April 2007
15. Colombo Srilanka: 1-3 August 2008
16. Thimphu Bhutan: 28-29 April 2010
17. Addu Maldives: 10-11 November 2011
18. Kathmandu Nepal: 26-27 November 2014

First to sign in SAARC Charter

Hussain Muhammad Ershad (Bangladesh)

Jigme Singye Wangchuck (Bhutan)

Rajiv Gandhi (India)

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (Maldives)

Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (Nepal)

Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

Junius Richard Jayewardene (Sri Lanka)