Assignment-7 M Harish Vardhan

INTRODUCTION ABOUT SAARC

The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) is an organization of South
Asian nations, which was established on 8 December 1985 when the government of Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka formally adopted its charter providing
for the promotion of economic and social progress, cultural development within the South Asia
region and also for friendship and cooperation with other developing countries.

It is dedicated to economic, technological, social and cultural development emphasizing

collective self- reliance. In terms of population, its sphere of influence is the largest of any
regional organization: almost 1.5 billion combined populations of its member states. In April
2007, Afghanistan became its eighth member.

MEMBER NATIONS OF SAARC

 India
 Bangladesh
 Pakistan
 Bhutan
 Afghanistan
 Maldives
 Nepal
 Sri Lanka

OBJECTIVES OF SAARC:

1. Promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life;
2. Accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region by
providing all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and realize their full potential;
3. Promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia;
4. Contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems
5. Promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural,
technical and scientific fields;
6. Strengthen co-operation with other developing countries;
7. Strengthen co-operation among themselves in international forms on matters of common
interest; and
8. Cooperate with international and regional organization with similar aims and purposes.
Assignment-7 M Harish Vardhan

USEFULLNESS OF SAARC

SAARC provides a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of
friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia
and to improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and
cultural development in the region.