South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

Purpose

Promote economic and regional integration, and social and cultural cooperation among South Asian countries.

Members:

8 member states (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)

Headquarters:

Kathmandu, Nepal

History

SAARC was founded on 8 December 1985 in Dhaka, bringing together the countries of South Asia in a framework for regional cooperation, though political tensions, especially between India and Pakistan, have long limited its effectiveness.

Structure

• Summit of Heads of State/Government
• Council of Ministers
• Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General

Key facts

• Afghanistan joined as the 8th member in 2007
• The 19th SAARC Summit, due to be hosted by Pakistan in 2016, was cancelled after India and several other members withdrew following the Uri attack, and no summit has been held since

Pakistan's relationship

Founding member; has hosted SAARC summits and chaired the organization, though the bloc has been largely dormant since 2016 due to India–Pakistan tensions.