INDIA AND SAARC

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was formally constituted on December 8, 1985 (now known as SAARC Charter Day) at Dhaka, through talks involving the heads of state of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. An eighth member country, Afghanistan was added in 2007. Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea and USA have been granted observer status.

SAARC aims to achieve regional cooperation between its member countries on a variety of issues, tending towards the socio-economic and socio-cultural, and thus help the economic and social development of member states.

SAARC Objectives:
• To promote 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 collective 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

• To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes

The SAARC Secretariat is based at Kathmandu. It comprises of the Secretary General, seven Directors and the General Services Staff. SAARC aims at promoting collaboration with the United Nations, other regional organizations, as well as WTO.

India is the largest country in SAARC in respect to area, population and economy. SAARC programs exist in the areas of agriculture, rural development, transportation and telecommunications, meteorology, health and population control, postal services, science and technology, culture and sports, women in development, drug trafficking and abuse, and terrorism.