What is the Full Form of SAARC ?

SAARC - South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation


South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is an economic and political organization of South Asian countries which includes :

  • India
  • Sri Lanka
  • Bangladesh
  • Pakistan
  • Afghanistan
  • Nepal
  • Maldives
  • Bhutan


How was SAARC formed ?
In the late 1970s, a proposal came from Bangladesh for the creation of trade bloc among South Asian countries. The proposal was accepted in 1981, and in August 1983, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was formed with 7 countries including : India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan. Afghanistan joined the group in 2005, which brings the number of participating countries to eight.

The main objectives of SAARC is the development of human resources, science, technology and agriculture, to solve the population and health related issues, and improvement of transport facilities.