📘 Title: SAARC Countries – History, Members, and Facts
📖 Description:
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is a regional intergovernmental organization that promotes economic and regional integration in South Asia. Established in 1985, SAARC aims to foster cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture, science, and technology among its member nations. This book provides a comprehensive overview of SAARC’s formation, objectives, achievements, and challenges, followed by 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers to test your understanding.
🌏 Detailed Description:
Full Name: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Abbreviation: SAARC
Establishment: 8 December 1985
Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal
Official Language: English
Eighth Member: Afghanistan (joined in 2007)
Observer Members: China, Japan, USA, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Mauritius, Myanmar, and European Union
First Summit: Dhaka, Bangladesh (1985)
SAARC Secretariat: Established in 1987 in Kathmandu, Nepal
SAARC Emblem: Represents unity and cooperation among South Asian nations.
Objectives: Promote welfare of people, accelerate economic growth, strengthen collective self-reliance among South Asian countries, and contribute to peace and stability in the region.
🧠 100 MCQs on SAARC (One-line Questions with Answers):
1. SAARC stands for – South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ✅
2. SAARC was established in – 1985 ✅
3. The headquarters of SAARC is located in – Kathmandu, Nepal ✅
4. The first SAARC summit was held in – Dhaka, Bangladesh ✅
5. How many founding members did SAARC have? – Seven ✅
6. Afghanistan joined SAARC in – 2007 ✅
7. Total current member countries of SAARC – Eight ✅
8. SAARC’s official language – English ✅
9. The first SAARC Secretary-General was – Abul Ahsan (Bangladesh) ✅
10. The current SAARC Secretary-General is from – (Changes periodically) ✅
11. SAARC was proposed by – Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh ✅
12. SAARC emblem was adopted in – 1987 ✅
13. SAARC Secretariat was inaugurated on – 17 January 1987 ✅
14. The second SAARC summit was held in – Bangalore, India ✅
15. The third SAARC summit was held in – Kathmandu, Nepal ✅
16. The fourth SAARC summit took place in – Islamabad, Pakistan ✅
17. SAARC Charter Day is celebrated on – 8 December ✅
18. SAARC Development Fund (SDF) was established in – 2008 ✅
19. SAARC Satellite initiative is led by – India ✅
20. SAARC has observer members – Yes ✅
21. Which country joined SAARC last? – Afghanistan ✅
22. The SAARC region covers nearly – 3% of world area ✅
23. The population of SAARC region is around – 1.8 billion ✅
24. SAARC’s motto is – Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity ✅
25. Which country hosted the first SAARC summit? – Bangladesh ✅
26. SAARC Disaster Management Centre is in – New Delhi, India ✅
27. The 18th SAARC Summit was held in – Kathmandu, Nepal (2014) ✅
28. The 19th SAARC Summit was scheduled in – Islamabad, Pakistan ✅
29. The 19th SAARC Summit was – Cancelled ✅
30. SAARC Agricultural Centre is located in – Dhaka, Bangladesh ✅
31. SAARC Cultural Centre is in – Colombo, Sri Lanka ✅
32. SAARC Documentation Centre is in – New Delhi, India ✅
33. SAARC Energy Centre is in – Islamabad, Pakistan ✅
34. SAARC Tuberculosis Centre is located in – Kathmandu, Nepal ✅
35. The first SAARC Charter was signed by – 7 member countries ✅
36. SAARC promotes cooperation in – Economic, Cultural, Social fields ✅
37. Which is the largest country in SAARC by area? – India ✅
38. Which is the smallest country in SAARC? – Maldives ✅
39. The highest population in SAARC – India ✅
40. The lowest population in SAARC – Bhutan ✅
41. SAARC observer member from Europe – European Union ✅
42. The SAARC summit is held – Every two years ✅
43. SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme began in – 1992 ✅
44. SAARC is similar to which organization? – ASEAN ✅
45. The first female Secretary-General of SAARC – Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed (Maldives) ✅
46. SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry is in – Islamabad, Pakistan ✅
47. SAARC Food Bank was established in – 2007 ✅
48. SAARC University is located in – New Delhi, India ✅
49. Which Indian city hosted SAARC summit in 1995? – New Delhi ✅
50. SAARC’s first summit theme was – Regional Cooperation and Peace ✅
51. SAARC Charter prohibits – Bilateral and political issues ✅
52. The idea of SAARC was first proposed in – 1980 ✅
53. SAARC’s primary goal – Regional Cooperation ✅
54. SAARC comprises countries from – South Asia ✅
55. SAARC Food Security Reserve created in – 1987 ✅
56. SAARC Secretariat functions under – Secretary-General ✅
57. The SAARC Council of Ministers meets – Twice a year ✅
58. SAARC aims to promote – Welfare of South Asian people ✅
59. SAARC Agriculture Information Centre – Dhaka ✅
60. The smallest GDP country in SAARC – Bhutan ✅
61. Which SAARC country is landlocked? – Nepal and Bhutan ✅
62. SAARC countries are located in – Asia ✅
63. SAARC Charter was signed in – Dhaka ✅
64. The 12th SAARC Summit was in – Islamabad, Pakistan ✅
65. SAARC Information Centre is located in – Kathmandu, Nepal ✅
66. SAARC is headquartered near – Thamel, Kathmandu ✅
67. SAARC Youth Award started in – 1997 ✅
68. SAARC Literary Award recognizes – Writers and Poets ✅
69. SAARC region accounts for – Around 21% of world population ✅
70. SAARC member with highest per capita income – Maldives ✅
71. SAARC member with lowest per capita income – Nepal ✅
72. SAARC Business Association of Home-Based Workers is based in – Pakistan ✅
73. SAARC Vision 2020 adopted in – 2006 ✅
74. SAARC Energy Ring concept proposed by – India ✅
75. SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) signed in – 1993 ✅
76. SAARC Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) signed in – 2004 ✅
77. SAFTA became effective in – 2006 ✅
78. SAARC summit decisions are made by – Consensus ✅
79. The first SAARC summit was attended by – 7 leaders ✅
80. Which SAARC country is island nation? – Maldives and Sri Lanka ✅
81. SAARC Disaster Management Framework launched in – 2006 ✅
82. SAARC Highway Corridor proposal – Connectivity project ✅
83. SAARC member not sharing border with India – Afghanistan and Maldives ✅
84. SAARC has how many observer states? – 9 ✅
85. SAARC Regional Convention on Terrorism signed in – 1987 ✅
86. SAARC celebrated Silver Jubilee in – 2010 ✅
87. SAARC Environment Ministers meet – Annually ✅
88. SAARC aims to reduce – Poverty in South Asia ✅
89. SAARC promotes – Cultural Exchange ✅
90. SAARC Charter signed by – Heads of State or Government ✅
91. SAARC Secretariat inaugurated by – King Birendra of Nepal ✅
92. SAARC Development Goals launched in – 2006 ✅
93. SAARC apex body for women – SAARC Women’s Association ✅
94. SAARC Summit 2020 – Postponed ✅
95. SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund proposed by – India ✅
96. SAARC’s cooperation is based on – Mutual respect and equality ✅
97. SAARC does not discuss – Bilateral conflicts ✅
98. SAARC has – 8 members and 9 observers ✅
99. SAARC promotes – Regional unity ✅
100. SAARC motto can be summarized as – Peace, Progress, Prosperity ✅
