The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was founded In-

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was officially founded in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 8, 1985. The organization was established when the heads of state or government of the seven founding members—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—signed the SAARC Charter during their first summit held in Dhaka [2]. While the association was founded in Dhaka, its Secretariat was later established in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 17, 1987. The initiative for this regional cooperation was largely driven by Bangladesh [2]. SAARC aims to promote economic development, social progress, and cultural cooperation among South Asian nations [1]. Afghanistan later joined as the eighth member in 2007.

Sources

1. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > GEOPOLITICS OF SOUTH ASIA > p. 60
2. [1] Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia > TIMELINE OF SOUTH ASIA SINCE 1947 > p. 32