SAARC

About SAARC
Established in 8 November 1985 Secretary-Arjun Bahadur Thapa Headquarter-Kathmandu,Nepal Members-8 countries Latest Member-Afhganistan (2007) Official Language-English Next Summit-Nepal in November

History Of SAARC
The first concrete proposal for establishing a framework for regional cooperation in South Asia was made by the late president of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman, on May 2, 1980. The foreign ministers of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. The Committee of the Whole, which met in Colombo in August 1985, identified five broad areas for regional cooperation. In 2007 Afghanistan was added as SAARC member.

SAARC LOGO

Purpose & Function Of SAARC

Improve the quality of life of the people Accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region Strengthen collective self-reliance among the people of the region Cooperate with regional and international organizations with similar purposes Active collaboration in the social,economic,political,cultural and scientific fields Help one another in economic, political and natural distress.

SAARC COUNTRY MAP

SAARC Leaders

Purpose & Function Of SAARC

BANGLADESH
BANGLADESH formerly East Pakistan. Came into existence in 1971 Almost surrounded by India on three sides West, North and East It hares boundaries with Myanmar in the southeast To the south lies Bay of Bengal.

INDIA
Seventh largest country Second most populous country It is bounded by three sides by Arabian Sea(West), Ocean(South), and Bay of Bengal(East) Shares boundaries with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar & Bangladesh. Separated from Sri Lanka by Palk Strait.

PAKISTAN
The Islamic Republic Of Pakistan In August 1985 Pakistan joined Saarc Divided into East & West Pakistan. Iran is in the west and Afghanistan is in the northwest of Pakistan China is in the north & India is in the east & south east of Pakistan It takes 30 Minutes behind the India Standard Time (IST). Has historical importance as all cultural.

SRILANKA
Only 35 km from southernmost tip of mainland of India. In August 1985 Srilanka joined Saarc Pear Shaped Island country. It follows Indian Standard Time. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean. A chain of sand-banks-called Adams bridge runs between India & Srilanka.

NEPAL
Nepal is also known as the Himalayan Kingdom. In August 1985 Nepal joined Saarc Land locked country between India (east, south & west) and China (south). Follows Indian Standard Time. Political situation is still not a pleasant road after the end of long years of civil war.

Afganistan
A landlocked country which is located in the central of Asia Capital: Kabul Currency: Afgan Population:30 million(World bank,2012) Became Member in April 03,2007 Plays major role in terms of security and trade in south and central Asia

Bhutan
Officially Known as the Kingdom of Bhutan Capital: Thimphu Currency: Bhutanese ngultrum Population: 750 Thousand Became member in 1985 Aim was to promote economic, social, and the cultural development with other South Asian countries

Maldives
Officially known as the Republic of Maldives Capital: Mal Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa Population: 395 Thousand Became member in 1985 Joining SAARC Maldives have been established a good relation with other South Asian Countries.

Advantages of SAARC
Desirous of promoting peace, stability, amity and progress in the region Political, economic, security and potentiality Good neighborly relations meaningful co-operation Aware of the common problems Convinced that regional co-operation Contribute to mutual trust Strengthen co-operation

Disadvantages of SAARC
Concentrate on food security, climate conditioning and disease. An effective policy should be made on climate, to face against its changes. Huge gap between policy level decisions Focus on health infrastructure. Poor growth should be promoted Term or occasional training institutes

Conclusion
South Asian Economies Share Similarities: Another reason offered for the slow growth of SAARC is that the South Asian economies share too many similarities to benefit from trading with each other.