South Asian Association For Regional Co-operation (SAARC)

South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation was found in 1985, with its headquarters at Kathmandu in Nepal. It was committed to economic, technological, social and cultural development for self-reliance. It has seven member states. They are India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. In 2007, even Afghanistan joined SAARC. There are five broad areas recognized by the member states of SAARC for regional co-operation. These areas are Agricultural and rural development, Telecommunications, science, technology and meteorology, Health and population activities, Transport and Human Resource Development. SAARC makes an effort to promote welfare of people of South Asia and try to improve their standard of living. It also works to make fast socio-economic and cultural development by trying to provide people with equal opportunities to live with dignity. It also functions to encourage active collaboration and mutually assist in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields. In 2006, the foreign ministers of the SAARC countries agreed principle to grant observe status to USA and South Korea. Australia, China, European Union, Japan, Iran, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea and USA are the nine observer nations of SAARC. The member states of SAARC are keen to promote peace, stability and development in the region. They are aware of the common problems, interests and desires of the people in South Asia. However, SAARC has contributed collective self-reliance by economic, social and technical co-operation among the member nations.