Saarc

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an organisation of South Asian nations, founded in December 1985 by late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal and dedicated to economic, technological, social, and cultural development emphasizing collective self-reliance. Its seven founding members are Sri Lanka, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Afghanistan joined the organization in 2007. Meetings of heads of state are usually scheduled annually; meetings of foreign secretaries, twice annually. It is headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The observers of the SAARC

a. Australia b. China c. European Union

d. Japan e. Iran f. Mauritius

g. Myanmar h. South Korea I. United States

Objectives

The objectives of the Association as defined in the Charter are:

* to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life;

* 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 potential;

* to promote and strengthen selective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia;

* to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems;

* to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;

* to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;

* to strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest; and

* To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

Principles

The principles are:

* Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, political equality and independence of all members states

* Non-interference in the internal matters is one of its objectives.

* Cooperation for mutual...