Match the LIST-I  with LIST-II  

LIST-I (SAARC Summits)	LIST-II (Date)
A. Dhaka	I. 10-11 April, 1993
B. New Delhi	II. 2-4 May, 1995
C. Colombo	III. 2-6 January, 2004
D. Islamabad	IV. 29-31 July, 1998

choose the correct answer from the options given below:-

Correct option is B

The correct matching of the SAARC Summits with their dates is as follows:

• A. Dhaka: The 1993 SAARC Summit was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 10-11 April 1993. This was the 7th Summit.

• B. New Delhi: The 1995 SAARC Summit was held in New Delhi, India, from 2-4 May 1995. This was the 8th Summit.

• C. Colombo: The1998 SAARC Summit took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 29-31 July 1998. This was the 11th Summit.

• D. Islamabad: The2004 SAARC Summit was held in Islamabad, Pakistan, from2-6 January 2004. This was the12thSummit.

Thus, the correct pairing is A-I, B-II, C-IV, D-III, which matches option (b).

Information Booster :

SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

Introduction: SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is a regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union in South Asia, aimed at promoting economic and regional integration. It was established on December 8, 1985, with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The organization comprises eight member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Objectives of SAARC: SAARC's primary objectives are to promote the welfare of the people in South Asia, improve their quality of life, and accelerate the region's economic and social development. It aims to:

1. Promote regional cooperation in various sectors like trade, economy, education, health, agriculture, and technology.

2. Enhance mutual understanding among South Asian countries through cultural, social, and economic exchanges.

3. Provide a platform for peaceful resolution of regional conflicts and issues through dialogue.

4. Promote sustainable development by addressing issues like poverty, human rights, gender equality, and environmental concerns.

Key Features of SAARC:

1. Membership: SAARC initially started with seven founding members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka .Afghanistan became the 8th member in 2007.

2. Summits: The highest decision-making body of SAARC is the SAARC Summit, which is held biennially (every two years). These summits bring together heads of state/government from all member countries to discuss key issues of regional importance and cooperation.

3. Regional Cooperation: SAARC promotes cooperation across various sectors:

   • Economic and Trade Cooperation: Establishing agreements for regional trade and economic cooperation.

   • Social and Cultural Cooperation: Promoting cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.

   • Environmental Cooperation: Addressing issues like climate change, deforestation, and sustainable development.

4. Secretariat: The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is the central body that oversees the functioning of the organization, facilitates meetings, and coordinates the implementation of policies and programs.

5. SAARC Development Fund (SDF): Established in 1996, the SAARC Development Fund aims to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development through financial assistance for various projects across the region.

6. SAARC Regional Centre: Various regional centers have been established by SAARC for specialized cooperation in areas such as rural development, agriculture, meteorology, and disaster management.