South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) | General Awareness

SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

SAARC is a regional intergovernmental organization and geo-political union of states in South Asia.
Member states (8) - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
9 Observers - Australia, China, European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, United States.
SAARC was formed in 1985 in Dhaka.
It’s secretariat in Kathmandu, Nepal.
SAARC promotes economic development and regional integration.
South Asia Free Trade Area was launched, in 2006, by SAARC.
SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the UN as an observer.
It has developed multilateral ties including the European Union.