Q.What is SAARC? State any three of its objectives and list its member countries.

South Asian countries formed their own regional body distinct from the global institutions discussed earlier in this chapter. …

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985, with its Secretariat located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Objectives (any three):

1. To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life.
2. To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region.
3. To strengthen collective self-reliance among South Asian countries.
4. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in economic, social, technical, and scientific fields.
5. To encourage mutual trust, understanding, and appreciation of one another's problems among member states.

Member countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan — eight members in total. …

Omitting Afghanistan from the member list (it joined later than the founding members) or confusing SAARC's membership with ASEAN's — the two are …