Consider the following statements about SAARC: 1. The SAARC Secretariat is located at Kathmandu. 2. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General, who is appointed by the Council of Ministers from Member States in alphabetical order for a three year term. 3. The Secretary General is assisted by eight Directors on deputation from the Member States. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat was established in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 16, 1987. Statement 1 is correct as Kathmandu serves as the permanent headquarters. Statement 2 is also correct; the Secretary General is appointed by the Council of Ministers from Member States based on alphabetical rotation for a non-renewable three-year term. Statement 3 is correct as the Secretariat's organizational structure includes eight Directors who are on deputation from each of the eight Member States (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) to assist the Secretary General in various divisions. Consequently, all three statements accurately describe the institutional framework and administrative leadership of the SAARC Secretariat.

Sources

1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_General_of_the_South_Asian_Association_for_Regional_Cooperation