SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

SAARC is a regional intergovernmental organization that was established in 1985 to promote economic and cultural cooperation among its member countries in South Asia. It is headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Member countries:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- India
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka

Objectives:
- To promote regional cooperation in economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields
- To strengthen cooperation among the member countries in international forums
- To promote peace, stability and understanding among the member countries
- To provide a platform for the member countries to discuss and resolve their common problems and issues

Activities:
SAARC conducts various activities and programs to achieve its objectives, including:
- Summits and ministerial meetings
- Technical and expert-level meetings
- Cultural exchanges and festivals
- Student exchanges and scholarships
- Economic cooperation and trade agreements
- Poverty alleviation programs
- Disaster management and environmental protection

Challenges:
SAARC faces several challenges in achieving its objectives, including:
- Political instability and mistrust among member countries
- Bilateral disputes and conflicts among member countries
- Uneven economic development and poverty in the region
- Lack of infrastructure and connectivity among member countries
- Limited resources and funding for SAARC programs

Conclusion:
SAARC plays an important role in promoting regional cooperation and integration in South Asia. However, it faces several challenges that need to be addressed to achieve its objectives and improve the lives of people in the region.

Yes ,there is 8 countries in saarc ,India is also a part of saarc and last country who signed saarc agreement is afganistan