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🔹 Introduction to SAARC
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○ Full Name: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
○ Established: December 8, 1985
○ Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal (since 1987)
○ Objective: To promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation in South Asia.
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🔹 Objectives of SAARC (As per 1985 Charter)
○ Promote welfare & quality of life of South Asians.
○ Accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.
○ Enhance mutual trust and understanding among member nations.
○ Strengthen collective self-reliance among South Asian countries.
○ Encourage collaboration in trade, technology, culture, education, and security.
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SAARC Headquarters and Specialized Regional Centers
○ 1️⃣ SAARC Secretariat 🏛Established: 1987
○ Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
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○ 2️⃣ SAARC Development Fund (SDF) 💰Established: 2008
○ Location: Thimphu, Bhutan
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○ 3️⃣ South Asian University (SAU) 🎓Established: 2010
○ Location: New Delhi, India
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○ 4️⃣ SAARC Agriculture Centre 🌾
○ Established: 1988
○ Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
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○ 5️⃣ SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) 🌍Established: 2006
○ Location: Gujarat, India
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○ 6️⃣ SAARC Cultural Centre 🎭Established: 2009
○ Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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○ 7️⃣ SAARC Tuberculosis Centre 🏥Established: 1992
○ Location: Bhaktapur, Nepal
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○ 8️⃣ SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) ⚖️Established: 2010
○ Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
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Important SAARC Summits & Key Outcomes
○ 1️⃣ 1st SAARC Summit (1985) 🌍Year: 1985
○ Host City: Dhaka, Bangladesh
○ Key Outcome: SAARC was officially established.
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○ 2️⃣ 8th SAARC Summit (1995) 🤝
○ Year: 1995
○ Host City: New Delhi, India
○ Key Outcome: SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) adopted.
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○ 3️⃣ 12th SAARC Summit (2004) 📜
○ Year: 2004
○ Host City: Islamabad, Pakistan
○ Key Outcome: SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) Agreement signed.
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○ 4️⃣ 14th SAARC Summit (2007) 🌏
○ Year: 2007
○ Host City: New Delhi, India
○ Key Outcome: Afghanistan joined SAARC, making it the 8th member.
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○ 5️⃣ 18th SAARC Summit (2014) 🚆
○ Year: 2014
○ Host City: Kathmandu, Nepal
○ Key Outcome: Focus on regional connectivity & cooperation.
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○ 6️⃣ 19th SAARC Summit (2016 - Cancelled) ❌
○ Year: Planned for 2016
○ Host City: Islamabad, Pakistan
○ Key Outcome: Cancelled due to India-Pakistan tensions.
○ 📌 Last Successfully Held Summit: 18th Summit (2014, Nepal)
○ 📌 Next Summit Status: Postponed indefinitely due to political conflicts
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Key Economic & Trade Agreements of SAARC
○ 1️⃣ SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) 🛒
○ Year: 1995
○ Purpose: Reduce trade barriers among SAARC member nations.
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○ 2️⃣ South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) 📉Year: 2006
○ Purpose: Implement zero customs duty on regional trade to enhance economic
integration.
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○ 3️⃣ SAARC Development Fund (SDF) 💰
○ Year: 2008
○ Purpose: Provide funding for economic and social projects in South Asia.
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○ 4️⃣ SAARC Food Bank 🍚Year: 2007
○ Purpose: Ensure food security in South Asian countries by maintaining emergency
food reserves.
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○ 5️⃣ SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme 🛂
○ Year: 1992
○ Purpose: Allow visa-free travel for certain categories of officials, business leaders,
and dignitaries.
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○ 6️⃣ SAARC Energy Ring ⚡️Year: 2004
○ Purpose: Develop regional energy cooperation and establish a South Asian power
grid
SAARC Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms
○ 1️⃣ SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) ⚖️Established: 2010
○ Purpose: Resolves trade and commercial disputes among SAARC member nations.
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○ 2️⃣ SAFTA Dispute Settlement Mechanism 📜Established: 2006
○ Purpose: Ensures fair trade practices under the South Asian Free Trade Area
(SAFTA) agreement.
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○ 3️⃣ Bilateral Negotiations Within SAARC 🤝Established: Ongoing
○ Purpose: Used for political conflict resolution between SAARC member states
through diplomatic
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🔹 Challenges Faced by SAARC
○ Political Conflicts – Especially India-Pakistan tensions.
○ Economic Disparities – Unequal economic power distribution.
○ Failure to Implement Agreements – Many remain unfulfilled.
○ Rise of BIMSTEC – Another regional bloc gaining importance.
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○ SAARC Member Countries & Their Year of Joining
○ 📌 Founder Members (1985):
○ 🔹 Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
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○ 📌 New Member:
○ 🔹 Afghanistan (Joined in 2007)..