The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political organization of eight countries in Southern Asia – established in 8th December 1985. It was formed to provide a platform for the people of South Asia to work together to accelerate the process of economic and social development among the Member states.

1. SAARC
SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL CO-
OPERATION

2. Dissecting LOGO
1.Seven pigeons
represent the seven
member countries –
Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, Maldives,
Nepal, Lanka seeking
peace. The pigeons
symbolize peace and
freedom.
3.Two thumbs
symbolize –
member countries
of the SAARC vow
(Sankalpa) to unite
and support one
another in the time
of need.
4.Two hands
together symbolize
friendship and
goodwill that all
seven countries in
the region, which
are all dedicated to
helping one another.
2.Two eyes of
Buddha,
who is the symbol of
peace.
Designed by one of the famous
artist from Nepal, Shailendra Kumar
Maharjan.

3. MEMBER STATES
• AFGHANISTAN
• BANGLADESH
• BHUTAN
•INDIA
• MALDIVES
•NEPAL
•PAKISTAN
•SRI LANKA

4. Potential Future Members

5. OBJECTIVES
•To promote the welfare of the people.
•To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development.
•To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South
Asia.
•To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance.
•To contribute to mutual trust , understand and appreciation of another’s
problem.
•To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims &
purpose.

6. HEADQUARTER
Kathmandu , Nepal

7. SIX APEX BODIES OF SAARC
•SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI)
•SAARCLAW (South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation In
Law)
•South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA)
•South Asia Foundation (SAF)
•South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC)
•Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL)

8. INTRODUCTION
•The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and
political organization of eight countries in Southern Asia – established in 8th
December 1985.
• It was formed to provide a platform for the people of South Asia to work together
to accelerate the process of economic and social development among the Member
states.
•The signatory countries have agreed upon five areas of cooperation: -
-Agriculture and Rural Development
-Telecommunications, Science, Technology and Meteorology
-Health and Population Activities
-Transport
-Human Resource Development

9. About SAARC
•The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an
economic and geopolitical organisation of eight countries that are
primarily located in South Asia or the Indian subcontinent.
•The combined economy of SAARC is the 3rd largest in the world in the terms of
GDP(PPP) after the United States and China and 5th largest in the terms of nominal
GDP.
• SAARC nations comprise 3% of the world's area and contain 21% (around 1.7 billion)
of the world's total population and around 9.12% of Global economy as of 2015.
•Covering a population of more than 2 billion, SAARC is the largest regional
organization in the world.

10. SAARC and its relationship with trade
SAFTA was envisaged primarily as the first step towards the transition to
a South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) leading subsequently towards a
Customs Union, Common Market and Economic Union.
In 1995, the Sixteenth session of the Council of Ministers (New Delhi, 18–19
December 1995) agreed on the need to strive for the realisation of SAFTA
and to this end an Inter-Governmental Expert Group (IGEG) was set up in
1996 to identify the necessary steps for progressing to a free trade area.

11. RELATION OF SAARC WITH INDIA

12. Thankyou