SAARC
South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation
, INTRODUCTION
The South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a
regional intergovernmental organization
and geopolitical union of South Asian
nations. It was established on 8
December 1985 in Dhaka,
Bangladesh with the signing of the
SAARC Charter by seven founding
members: India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal,
Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Later,
Afghanistan joined in 2007, becoming
, History of SAARC
In the 1970s–80s, South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal,
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives) was facing poverty, weak
economies, and political tensions.
Even though the people of these countries share similar cultures,
languages, and traditions, the governments did not cooperate
much because of mistrust (especially between India and Pakistan).
The idea of forming a regional group came from Ziaur Rahman,
President of Bangladesh, in 1980. He suggested that South Asian
countries should work together to fight poverty, improve
education, health, and trade.
In 1981, the Foreign Secretaries of these countries met in
Colombo, Sri Lanka to discuss the proposal.
After several meetings, the leaders of seven countries (India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka)
gathered in Dhaka, Bangladesh in December 1985 and signed
the SAARC Charter. This was the birth of SAARC.
Later, in 2007, Afghanistan also joined as the 8th member.
South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation
, INTRODUCTION
The South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a
regional intergovernmental organization
and geopolitical union of South Asian
nations. It was established on 8
December 1985 in Dhaka,
Bangladesh with the signing of the
SAARC Charter by seven founding
members: India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal,
Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Later,
Afghanistan joined in 2007, becoming
, History of SAARC
In the 1970s–80s, South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal,
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives) was facing poverty, weak
economies, and political tensions.
Even though the people of these countries share similar cultures,
languages, and traditions, the governments did not cooperate
much because of mistrust (especially between India and Pakistan).
The idea of forming a regional group came from Ziaur Rahman,
President of Bangladesh, in 1980. He suggested that South Asian
countries should work together to fight poverty, improve
education, health, and trade.
In 1981, the Foreign Secretaries of these countries met in
Colombo, Sri Lanka to discuss the proposal.
After several meetings, the leaders of seven countries (India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka)
gathered in Dhaka, Bangladesh in December 1985 and signed
the SAARC Charter. This was the birth of SAARC.
Later, in 2007, Afghanistan also joined as the 8th member.
