Which of the following countries were the founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985 ? 1. India 2. Nepal 3. Maldives 4. Afghanistan Select the answer using the codes given below :
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.1, 2 and 3 only
- C.3 and 4 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, 1, 2 and 3 only. India, Nepal and the Maldives signed the SAARC Charter in 1985, while Afghanistan joined only in 2007.
SAARC was set up at the Dhaka summit on 8 December 1985 by seven South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The idea was first put forward by President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh. Afghanistan became the eighth member at the 14th summit held in New Delhi in 2007. The secretariat of the organisation is in Kathmandu, Nepal, and it was opened in 1987.
A is wrong because it leaves out the Maldives, which was a founder. C is wrong because it drops India and Nepal and wrongly adds Afghanistan. D is wrong because Afghanistan was not a founding member; it joined twenty-two years later.
Exam tip: SAARC: Dhaka 1985, seven founders, Afghanistan the eighth member in 2007, secretariat at Kathmandu.
Practice Questions
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