Consider the correct statement(s) regarding SAARC:
(A) Full form of SAARC is South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
(B) SAARC aims to promote regional integration and economic development
(C) Its Secretariat is headquartered at Colombo
(D) The member countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (D) only
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was set up at Dhaka on 8 December 1985 by seven countries of South Asia; Afghanistan joined in 2007 as the eighth member.
(A) Full form of SAARC is South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Correct. This is the name under which the seven founding countries signed the SAARC Charter at Dhaka in 1985.
(B) SAARC aims to promote regional integration and economic development Correct. The Charter aims at the welfare of the people of South Asia through economic growth, social progress and cooperation among the members; the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), in force from 2006, is one step towards it.
(C) Its Secretariat is headquartered at Colombo Incorrect. The SAARC Secretariat, set up in 1987, is at Kathmandu, Nepal, not at Colombo.
(D) The member countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka Correct. These are the eight members: the seven founders and Afghanistan, which joined in 2007.