SAARC The south Asian association for regional cooperation-seven countires Bangladesh,Bhutan,india,the Maldives,Nepal,Pakistan and sri lanka.

To maintain peace, freedom, social justice, economic prosperity. The idea was first devopled in the year 1980.then the foreign secretaries of seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in 1981.then they have conducted the first meeting in New delhi in august 1983.there they formally launched the IPA (integrated programme of action).Initially in the 5 areas namely agriculture, rural development, telecommunications,meterology and health and population activities. The first saarc summit was held in Dhaka in 1985. Objectives. To promote the welfare of the people of south asia and to improve the quality of life,the accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. To promote self reliance , To contribute to mutual trust , understanding and appreciation of one anothers problems To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic , social, cultural , technical and scientific fields. To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests To cooperate with internation and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes.