South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 1

South Asian Association for RegionalCooperation

South Asia Association for Regional

  Member states  Observer states

Headquarters Kathmandu, NepalOfficial languages English

Membership

Leaders

 -  Secretary-General Arjun Bahadur Thapa

 -  Directors  Afghanistan Ibrahim Ghafoori  Bangladesh Tareque

Muhammad  Bhutan Singye Dorjee  India Amrit Lugun  Maldives Ibrahim Zuhuree

   Nepal Dhan Oli  Pakistan Ahmar Ismail  Sri Lanka Prasanna Gamage

 -  SAARC Summit  Maldives

Establishment 8 December 1985

Websitewww.saarc-sec.org [1]

a. If considered as a single entity.

b. A unified currency [2] has been proposed.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and geopolitical cooperationamong eight member nations that are primarily located in South Asia continent. Its secretariat is headquartered inKathmandu, Nepal.The idea of regional political and economical cooperation in South Asia was first coined in 1980 and the first summit held in Dhaka on 8 December in 1985 led to its official establishment by the governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In the intervening years, its successors have grown in size by the accession of new member states. Afghanistan was the first to have been accessed in the physical enlargement of the

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 2

SAARC in 2007.The SAARC policies aim to promote welfare economics, collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia,and to accelerate socio-cultural development in the region. The SAARC has developed a role in external relationsaround the world. Permanent diplomatic relations have been established with the EU, the UN (as an observer), andother multilateral entities. On annual scheduled basis, the official meetings of leaders of each nation are held;meetings of foreign secretaries, twice annually. The 18th SAARC Summit would be held at Kathmandu, Nepal inNovember 2014.

HistoryThe idea of regional co-operation in South Asia was discussed in at least three conferences: the Asian RelationsConference held in New Delhi on April 1947; the Baguio Conference in the Philippines on May 1950; and theColombo Powers Conference held in Sri Lanka on April 1954.In the ending years of 1970s, the seven inner South Asian nations that included Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka agreed upon the creation of a trade bloc and to provide a platform for thepeople of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. Efforts towards establishingthe union was first mooted by the Late King Birendra Shah of Nepal. President Ziaur Rahman later addressed officialletters to the leaders of the countries of the South Asia, presenting his vision for the future of the region and thecompelling arguments for region. During his visit to India in December 1977, President Ziaur Rahman discussed theissue of regional cooperation with the Indian Prime Minister, Morarji Desai. In the inaugural speech to the ColomboPlan Consultative Committee which met in Kathmandu also in 1977, King Birendra of Nepal gave a call for closeregional cooperation among South Asian countries in sharing river waters. After the USSR's intervention inAfghanistan, the efforts to established the union was accelerated in 1979 and the resulting rapid deterioration ofSouth Asian security situation. Responding to the President Zia Rehman and King Birendra's convention, theofficials of the foreign ministries of the seven countries met for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. TheBangladesh's proposal was promptly endorsed by Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives but India and Pakistanwere skeptical initially. The Indian concern was the proposal’s reference to the security matters in South Asia andfeared that President Zia Rehman's proposal for a regional organization might provide an opportunity for newsmaller neighbors to renationalized all bilateral issues and to join with each other to gang up against India. Pakistanassumed that it might be an Indian strategy to organize the other South Asian countries against Pakistan and ensure aregional market for Indian products, thereby consolidating and further strengthening India’s economic dominance inthe region.However, after a series of quiet diplomatic consultations between South Asian foreign ministers at the UNheadquarters in New York from August to September 1980, it was agreed that Bangladesh would prepare the draft ofa working paper for discussion among the foreign secretaries of South Asian countries. The foreign secretaries ofinner seven countries again delegated a Committee of the Whole in Colombo on September 1981, which identifiedfive broad areas for regional cooperation. New areas of co-operation were added in the following years.[3]

In 1983, the International conference held by Indian Minister of External Affairs PVN Rao in New Delhi, the foreignministers of the inner seven countries adopted the Declaration on South Asian Association Regional Cooperation(SAARC) and formally launched the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) initially in five agreed areas ofcooperation namely, Agriculture; Rural Development; Telecommunications; Meteorology; and Health andPopulation Activities.Officially, the union was established in Dhaka with Kathmandu being union's secretariat-general. The first SAARCsummit was held in Dhaka on 7–8 December 1985 and hosted by the President of Bangladesh Hussain Ershad. Thedeclaration signed by King of Bhutan Jigme Singye, President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq, Prime Minister of India RajivGandhi, King of Nepal Birendra Shah, President of Sri Lanka JR Jayewardene, and President of Maldives MaumoonGayoom.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 3

EnlargementIn 2005, Afghanistan began negotiating of joining the SAARC and applied for the membership the same year. Theissue of Afghanistan joining the SAARC generated a great deal of debate in each state, and many analysts raisedquestions about the notion of the malleability of South Asian identity because of Afghanistan being a Central Asiancountry.The SAARC member states imposed a stipulation for Afghanistan to hold a general election; the non-partisanelections were held in late 2005. In 2007, Afghanistan joined the SAARC as an eighth member state, despite initialreluctance and internal debates. The inclusion of Afghanistan as SAARC member was announced in New Delhi on 4April 2007 by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Members and observersAfghanistan was added to the regional grouping on April 2007,[4] With the addition of Afghanistan, the total numberof member states were raised to eight (8). In April 2006, the United States of America and South Korea made formalrequests to be granted observer status. The European Union has also indicated interest in being given observer status,and made a formal request for the same to the SAARC Council of Ministers meeting in July 2006.[5][6] On 2 August2006 the foreign ministers of the SAARC countries agreed in principle to grant observer status to the US, SouthKorea and the European Union. On 4 March 2008, Iran requested observer status.[7] Followed shortly by the entranceof Mauritius. Myanmar has expressed interest in upgrading its status from an observer to a full member ofSAARC,[8] while Russia is interested in becoming an observer.[9][10]

Secretariat

Secretariat of the South Asian Association forRegional Cooperation in Kathmandu, Nepal

The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January1987 and was inaugurated by Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah ofNepal.

It is headed by the Secretary General appointed by the Council ofMinisters from Member Countries in an alphabetical order for athree-year term. He is assisted by the Professional and the GeneralService Staff, and also an appropriate number of functional units calledDivisions assigned to Directors on deputation from Member States.[11]

The Secretariat coordinates and monitors implementation of activities,prepares for and services meetings, and serves as a channel ofcommunication between the Association and its Member States as wellas other regional organisations.

The Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Secretariat which was signed by Foreign Ministersof member countries on 17 November 1986 at Bangalore, India contains various clauses concerning the role,structure and administration of the SAARC Secretariat as well as the powers of the Secretary-General.The SAARC Secretariat and Member States observe 8 December as the SAARC Charter Day. Nepal’s formerforeign secretary Arjun Bahadur Thapa is current Secretary General of SAARC.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 4

Regional CentresThe SAARC Secretariat is supported by following Regional Centres established in Member States to promoteregional co-operation. These Centres are managed by Governing Boards comprising representatives from all theMember States, SAARC Secretary-General and the Ministry of Foreign/External Affairs of the Host Government.The Director of the Centre acts as Member Secretary to the Governing Board which reports to the ProgrammingCommittee.•• SAARC Agricultural Centre (SAC), Dhaka•• SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC), Dhaka•• SAARC Tuberculosis Centre (STC), Kathmandu•• SAARC Documentation Centre (SDC), New Delhi•• SAARC Human Resources Development Centre (SHRDC), Islamabad•• SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre (SCZMC), Maldives•• SAARC Information Centre (SIC), Nepal•• SAARC Energy Centre (SEC), Pakistan•• SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC), India•• SAARC Development Fund (SDF), Bhutan•• SAARC Forestry Centre (SFC), Bhutan• SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC), Sri Lanka[12]

Apex and Recognised BodiesSAARC has six Apex Bodies,[13] namely, SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), SAARCLAW (SouthAsian Association For Regional Cooperation In Law),[14] South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA), SouthAsia Foundation (SAF), South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), Foundation ofSAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL)Hemant Batra is the current incumbent Secretary General of SAARCLAW.SAARC also has about 17 recognised bodies.

Political issuesLasting peace and prosperity of the Indian subcontinent has been elusive due to the various ongoing conflicts and inthe region. Political dialogue is often conducted on the margins of SAARC meetings which have refrained frominterfering in the internal matters of its member states.[15] During the 12th and 13th SAARC summits, extremeemphasis was laid upon greater co-operation between the SAARC members to fight terrorism.

South Asian Free Trade Area

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 5

Countries under the South Asian Free Trade Area

SAFTA was envisaged primarily as the firststep towards the transition to a South AsianFree Trade Area (SAFTA) leadingsubsequently towards a Customs Union,Common Market and Economic Union. In1995, the Sixteenth session of the Council ofMinisters (New Delhi, 18–19 December1995) agreed on the need to strive for therealisation of SAFTA and to this end anInter-Governmental Expert Group (IGEG)was set up in 1996 to identify the necessarysteps for progressing to a free trade area. The Tenth SAARC Summit (Colombo, 29–31 July 1998) decided to set upa Committee of Experts (COE) to draft a comprehensive treaty framework for creating a free trade area within theregion, taking into consideration the asymmetries in development within the region and bearing in mind the need tofix realistic and achievable targets. The SAFTA Agreement was signed on 6 January 2004 during Twelfth SAARCSummit held in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Agreement entered into force on 1 January 2006, and the TradeLiberalization Programme commenced from 1 July 2006. Under this agreement, SAARC members will bring theirduties down to 20 per cent by 2009. Following the Agreement coming into force the SAFTA Ministerial Council(SMC) has been established comprising the Commerce Ministers of the Member States.[16]

SAARC Visa Exemption SchemeThe SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme was launched in 1992. The leaders at the Fourth Summit (Islamabad, 29–31December 1988), while realising the importance of having people to people contacts, among the peoples of SAARCcountries, decided that certain categories of dignitaries should be entitled to a Special Travel document, which wouldexempt them from visas within the region. As directed by the Summit, the Council of Ministers regularly kept underreview the list of entitled categories. Currently the list included 24 categories of entitled persons, which includeDignitaries, Judges of higher courts, Parliamentarians, Senior Officials, Businessmen, Journalists, Sportsmen etc.The Visa Stickers are issued by the respective Member States to the entitled categories of that particular country. Thevalidity of the Visa Sticker is generally for one year. The implementation is reviewed regularly by the ImmigrationAuthorities of SAARC Member States.[17]

Awards

SAARC AwardThe Twelfth Summit (Islamabad, January 2004) approved the institution of the SAARC Award to honour andencourage outstanding individuals and organisations within the region. The main objectives of the SAARC Awardare:•• To encourage individuals and organisations based in South Asia to undertake programmes and activities

complementing the efforts of SAARC•• To encourage individuals and organisations in South Asia contributing to the improvement of the conditions of

women and children•• To honour outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals and organisations within the region in the

fields of peace, development, poverty alleviation, environment protection and regional co-operation making theSAARC Award the most prestigious Award in the region; and

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 6

•• To honour any other outstanding contributions and achievements, not covered above, of individuals andorganisations in the region.

The SAARC Award comprises a gold medal, a letter of citation and cash prize of US $ 25,000. Since institution ofSAARC Award in 2004, it has been awarded only once and the Award was posthumoulsy conferred upon LatePresident Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh.[18]

SAARC Literary AwardSAARC Literary Award is an annual award conferred by the Foundation of SAARC (South Asian Association ofRegional Cooperation) Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) since 2001[19][20] which is an apex SAARC body.[21]

Shamshur Rahman, Mahasweta Devi, Jayanta Mahapatra, Mark Tully, Abhay K are some of the prominent recipientsof this award.[22]

SAARC Youth AwardThe SAARC Youth Award is awarded to outstanding individuals from the SAARC region. The award is notable dueto the recognition it gives to the Award winner in the SAARC region. The award is based on specific themes whichapply to each year. The award recognises and promotes the commitment and talent of the youth who give back to theworld at large through various initiatives such as Inventions, Protection of the Environment and Disaster relief. Therecipients who receive this award are ones who have dedicated their lives to their individual causes to improvesituations in their own countries as well as paving a path for the SAARC region to follow. The Committee for theSAARC Youth Award selects the best candidate based on his/her merits and their decision is final.Previous Winners:• 1997: Outstanding Social Service in Community Welfare – Mohammed Sukur Salek (Bangladesh)•• 1998: New Inventions and Shanu - Najmul Hasnain Shah (Pakistan)• 2001: Creative Photography: South Asian Diversity – Mushfiqul Alam (Bangladesh)• 2002: Outstanding contribution to protect the Environment – Masil Khan (Pakistan)• 2003: Invention in the Field of Traditional Medicine – Hassan Sher (Pakistan)• 2004: Outstanding contribution to raising awareness for TB and/or HIV/AIDS – Ajij Prasad Poudyal (Nepal)• 2006: Promotion of Tourism in South Asia – Syed Zafar Abbas Naqvi (Pakistan)• 2008: Protecting the Environment in South Asia – Uswatta Liyanage Deepani Jayantha (Sri Lanka)• 2009: Outstanding contribution to humanitarian works in the aftermath of Natural Disasters – Ravikant Singh

(India)• 2010: Outstanding contribution for the Protection of Environment and mitigation of Climate Change – Anoka

Primrose Abeyrathne (Sri Lanka)

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 7

SAARC AnthemSAARC does not have an official anthem yet as other regional organizations such as ASEAN. However a poem bypoet-diplomat Abhay K has spurred search for an official SAARC Anthem [23]

Members of SAARC

A clickable Euler diagram showing the relationships between various Asian regionalorganisations v • d • e [24]

Current members

•  Afghanistan•  Bangladesh•  Bhutan•  India•  Maldives•    Nepal•  Pakistan•  Sri Lanka

Observers

•  Australia[25]

•  China•  European Union[26]

•  Japan•  Iran•  Mauritius[27]

•  Myanmar•  South Korea•  United States

Potential future members

•  China has expressed interest in establishing special relations with SAARC, and is supported by Pakistan.•  Burma has expressed interest in upgrading its status from an observer to a full member of SAARC.•  Russia has applied for observer status membership of SAARC.•  Turkey has applied for observer status membership of SAARC in 2012.

Others•  South Africa has participated in meetings.[28]

Secretaries-General of SAARC

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 8

Abul Ahsan 16 January 1985 to 15 October 1989

Kishore Kant Bhargava 17 October 1989 to 31 December 1991

Ibrahim Hussain Zaki 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1993

Yadav Kant Silwal 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1995

Naeem U. Hasan 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1998

Nihal Rodrigo 1 January 1999 to 10 January 2002

Q.A.M.A. Rahim 11 January 2002 to 28 February 2005

Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji 1 March 2005 to 29 February 2008

Sheel Kant Sharma 1 March 2008 to 28 February 2011

Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed 1 March 2011 to 11 March 2012

Ahmed Saleem 12 March 2012 to 28 February 2014[29]

Arjun Bahadur Thapa 01 March 2014- 2017

SAARC summits

No Date Country Host Host leader

1st 7–8 December 1985  Bangladesh Dhaka Ataur Rahman Khan

2nd 16–17 November 1986  India Bangalore Jayanth M Gowda

3rd 2–4 November 1987    Nepal Kathmandu Marich Man Singh Shrestha

4th 29–31 December 1988  Pakistan Islamabad Benazir Bhutto

5th 21–23 November 1990  Maldives Malé Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

6th 21 December 1991  Sri Lanka Colombo Ranasinghe Premadasa

7th 10–11 April 1993  Bangladesh Dhaka Khaleda Zia

8th 2–4 May 1995  India New Delhi P. V. Narasimha Rao

9th 12–14 May 1997  Maldives Malé Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

10th 29–31 July 1998  Sri Lanka Colombo Chandrika Kumaratunga

11th 4–6 January 2002    Nepal Kathmandu Sher Bahadur Deuba

12th 2–6 January 2004  Pakistan Islamabad Zafarullah Khan Jamali

13th 12–13 November 2005  Bangladesh Dhaka Khaleda Zia

14th 3–4 April 2007  India New Delhi Manmohan Singh

15th 1–3 August 2008  Sri Lanka Colombo Mahinda Rajapaksa

16th 28–29 April 2010  Bhutan Thimphu Jigme Thinley

17th 10–11 November 2011[30]  Maldives Addu Mohammed Nasheed

18th November 2014    Nepal Kathmandu Sushil Koirala

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 9

Governance and Leadership of SAARC

SAARC leaders at the swearing-in ceremony ofIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Image Officeholder Title State Party

Hamid Karzai President  Afghanistan Independent

Sheikh Hasina Prime Minister  Bangladesh Awami League

Tshering Tobgay Prime Minister  Bhutan People's Democratic Party

Narendra Modi Prime Minister  India Bharatiya Janta Party

Abdulla Yameen President  Maldives Progressive Party of Maldives

Sushil Koirala Prime Minister    Nepal Nepali Congress

Nawaz Sharif Prime Minister  Pakistan Pakistan Muslim League (N)

Mahinda Rajapaksa President  Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Freedom Party

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 10

References[1] http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/[2] http:/ / www. ibnlive. com/ news/ sl-proposes-one-saarc-currency/ 37642-3. html[3] "A Brief on SAARC." South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. (http:/ / saarc-sec. org/ main. php?id=76) No date. See for a

complete historical account of SAARC e.g. Michael, Arndt (2013). India's Foreign Policy and Regional Multilateralism (Palgrave Macmillan),pp. 57–112.

[4][4] "South Asia: Afghanistan Joins World's Largest Regional Grouping." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 3 April 2007.[5] Waliur Rahman. "US and S Korea to observe SAARC." BBC News (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ south_asia/ 4900498. stm), 11 April

2008.[6] "SAARC to grant observer status to US, S Korea, EU." Hindustan Times. (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ StoryPage/ StoryPage.

aspx?id=68654965-9d60-4718-ae85-82acf647aa45) 2 August 2006.[7] "Iran requests for observer status in SAARC." People's Daily (http:/ / webcache. googleusercontent. com/

search?q=cache:2yvTZFfSXXEJ:english. peopledaily. com. cn/ 200703/ 05/ eng20070305_354236. html+ "Iran+ requests+ for+ observer+status+ in+ SAARC+ "& hl=en& ct=clnk& cd=1& gl=us), 5 March 2009.

[8] SAARC and Myanmar: Observer Research Foundation (http:/ / www. orfonline. org/ cms/ sites/ orfonline/ modules/ analysis/ AnalysisDetail.html?cmaid=14854& mmacmaid=14855)

[9] SAARC The Changing Dimensions: UNU-CRIS Working Papers United Nations University – Comparative Regional Integration Studies(http:/ / www. cris. unu. edu/ fileadmin/ workingpapers/ W-2008-8_01. pdf)

[10] Russia keen to join SAARC as observer: Oneindia News (http:/ / news. oneindia. in/ 2006/ 11/ 22/russia-keen-to-join-saarc-as-observer-1164200695. html)

[11] "Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Secretariat." South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (http:/ /saarc-sec. org/ main. php?id=150& t=3. 2), 17 November 1986.

[12] http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ Regional-Centers/ 12/[13] http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ Apex-and-Recognised-Bodies/ 14/[14] http:/ / www. saarclaw. org/ index. php[15][15] See for this aspect Michael, Arndt (2013). Sovereignty vs. Security: SAARC and its Role in the Regional Security Architecture in South

Asia. Harvard Asia Quarterly Summer 2013, Vol. VX, No.2: 37-45[16] http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ areaofcooperation/ detail. php?activity_id=5[17] http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ SAARC-Visa-Exemption-Scheme/ 100/[18] http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ SAARC-Award/ 70/[19] (http:/ / www. foundationsaarcwriters. com/ literature/ saarc-literary-awards) FOSWAL Website[20] (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ lifestyle/ books/ five-writers-honoured-at-saarc-literature-festival/ article1-1024426. aspx) Five Writers

honoured at SAARC Litearure Festival, Hindustan Times March 11, 2013[21] (http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ Apex-and-Recognised-Bodies/ 14/ ) Official website of SAARC:Apex and Recognized Bodies[22] Mahasweta Devi to get SAARC Literary Award (http:/ / news. oneindia. in/ 2007/ 03/ 30/

mahashweta-devi-to-get-saarc-literary-award-1175266266. html) Oneindia.in March 30, 2007[23] Indian diplomat's poem spurs search for SAARC anthem (http:/ / www. dnaindia. com/ world/

report-indian-diplomat-s-poem-spurs-search-for-saarc-anthem-1947907) IANS January 9, 2014[24] http:/ / en. wikipedia. org/ w/ index. php?title=Template:Supranational_Asian_Bodies& action=edit[25] colombopage.com (http:/ / www. colombopage. com/ archive_08/ July3042729CH. html)[26] thehimalayantimes.com (http:/ / www. thehimalayantimes. com/ fullstory. asp?filename=6a6Za3za. 9amal& folder=aHaoamW&

Name=Home& dtSiteDate=20060802)[27] island.lk (http:/ / www. island. lk/ 2008/ 07/ 23/ news2. html)[28] SAARC hi nations call for transparency in social sector – Thaindian News (http:/ / www. thaindian. com/ newsportal/ uncategorized/

saarc-nations-call-for-transparency-in-social-sector_10024810. html)[29] SAARC website (http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org) | Xi Jinping || 1 January 2014 to 28 March 2011[30] http:/ / www. maldivestraveller. mv/ news/ local/ president-of-maldives-invites-indian-pm-to-the-17th-saarc-summit/ 665/

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 11

External links• Official website (http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ )• Internet Mapping for SAARC (http:/ / maps. oopslite. com/ saarc)• Digital Atlas of SAARC by oopslite technologies (http:/ / www. oopslite. com/ project/ digitalsaarc. html)• SAARC Youth (http:/ / www. saarc-sec. org/ areaofcooperation/ detail. php?activity_id=9)

Article Sources and Contributors 12

Article Sources and ContributorsSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=610460561  Contributors: 23prootie, Aalahazrat, Aashaa, Abdul916, Abdulrumman,Aftab2860, Ahoerstemeier, Aimtiazsham, Ajaythomas0007, Akhil Bakshi, Akuindo, Ale jrb, Alinor, Alokprasad84, AlphaGamma1991, Ambarish, Andrwsc, Ankursrivastava006, Anna Lincoln,Antandrus, Anupam, Ariedartin, Aris Katsaris, Arjun024, Armanaziz, Artnetontrade, Asif110, At.shafi, Ayanecoju, Aymatth2, Aytakin, Bazaan, Beaumont, Bgwhite, Bidn, Blackknight12,Bluethroat, Bmaganti, Bobblewik, Bobk, Bong Banerjee, Bongwarrior, Brett Dunbar, Briaboru, CR7, CalJW, Canis Lupus, Capricorn42, Caranha, Casablanca2000in, Cncs wikipedia,CommonsDelinker, Crictv69, Crocodile Punter, Crosji, Cybercobra, Daniel, Daniyal7871, Danlaycock, David Kernow, Dedee73, Deepak, Delhi knight, Desiphral, Dewritech, Dinesh smita,Donner60, DoorsAjar, Download, Dwaipayanc, Easin, Ecofriendlyme, El C, Emilfarb, Emperor Genius, Everyking, Excirial, Favonian, Felis domestica, Feysalafghan, Freestylefrappe, Funnyhat,Gaius Cornelius, Garayaka1, Gareth Griffith-Jones, Gdo01, Geekamalloy, Generalboss3, Ginsuloft, Giraffedata, Gnevin, Good Olfactory, Gprince007, Green Giant, Grintz, Grubb, GuilhermePaula, Guptadeepak, Gurch, HMSSolent, Hammersoft, HanBoN, Hariva, Hemanshu, Hemlock Martinis, Hendrick 99, Huhsunqu, IFaqeer, IJA, Ian Pitchford, IceKarma, Iq killer, Irrawaddy,Island Monkey, Jahangir23, Jai Dixit, Jake Nelson, James smith2, Jayjanodia, Jeff G., Jeffrd10, Jianhui67, Jigneshgadhiya, Jim1138, John of Reading, Johnian144, Jovianeye, Jpatokal, Jschnur,Jumail Fareed, Jyothis, Kalhause, Kap 7, Katieh5584, Keraunos, Khan1982, Killuminator, Kingturtle, Kintetsubuffalo, Kkm010, Koavf, Kochank, Laddiebuck, Lars Washington,Lawrence431975, LeaveSleaves, Legaleagle86, Libertarianleft, Ligulem, Lihaas, LilHelpa, Logan, Lokanth, Longhj01, Lotje, MER-C, MPerel, MShefa, Magioladitis, Mannerheim, Maomd2012,Masako Kawasaki, Materialscientist, Mdmday, Michaelvandorpe, Mifter, Mikelo Gulhi, Millermk, Miltonzs, MisfitToys, Mkdw, Mr Smiley, Msnawaj, Munci, Mushroom, Mzsabusayeed, Nafisru, Naive rm, Nayvik, Nazmul.hossain, Neko-chan, Nightstallion, Nirajrm, Nitincse, Nitraven, Nizil Shah, Noor Aalam, Nuclearram, Oblivious, Ohconfucius, Onen hag oll, OnesimusUnbound,Oremore, Otebig, Ottokhanal, PISCOSOUR786, Page Up, Pakistanfanforeva, Pandanayan, Parvez gsm, PeerBaba, Phe, Polylepsis, Pradeepsomani, Praslu, Pratyya Ghosh, Pratzlaud, Psekar,Pt.Sumit, Qazmlp1029, QuartierLatin1968, Quintucket, R'n'B, Racerx11, Ragib, Rajeevkumarmca, Rajeswari.thummaluru, Rakeshshrestha, Razv, Reach Out to the Truth, Reachtokaushik,Recognizance, Redtigerxyz, RekishiEJ, Restname, Revent, Rkdhankar, Roland zh, Roscoe x, Rsrikanth05, Rudykog, Rukyi, Ryuu, SMC, Salamurai, Salt Yeung, Santhasiri, Sarathnalli, Saraunnpl, Sasecprogram, Satori Son, Secfan, Sedan473, Sethmazze, Shaheen Azad, Shalom.sobaba, Shardulsapkota, Shimly26, Shiva767, Shoummo, Shyamsunder, SiBr4, Skarebo, Slashsharma,Smitajain, Snubssulky, Sohailstyle, Sojah, Solarra, Soman, SomeHuman, Spartian, Sreejithk2000, Swapnet, Sykanya, Szali3, Tabletop, Tarikur, Template namespace initialisation script,Tentinator, TheDoober, TheJJJunk, TheRedPenOfDoom, Thegreyanomaly, Therequiembellishere, Thewikipedian, Thoughtsurge, Tim!, Tim1965, Tommy2010, Top Jim, True Pagan Warrior,Trustradha, Truthanado, Twinxor, UW, Umapathy, V.navaneeth.nair, Vibhijain, Viveksinha in, Vnomad, W.Kaleem, Wer900, Werieth, Widr, WikiSceptic, Wizardman, WoodElf, Woohookitty,Www.amit213, Yair rand, Yamaguchi先 生, Yaseen.thoha, Zazaban, Ziansh, Zigger, सृजना, বিজয় চক্রবর্তী, எஸ்ஸார், ソ ッ ク マ ペ ッ ト, 729 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:SAARC3.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAARC3.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: §hepTalk 19:53, 26 August 2010 (UTC)File:Flag of Nepal.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Nepal.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Drawn by User:Pumbaa80, User:Achim1999File:Flag of Afghanistan.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Afghanistan.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Zscout370File:Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Bangladesh.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:SKoppFile:Flag of Bhutan.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Bhutan.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: (original uploader), the author of xrmap (improvedversion)File:Flag of India.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_India.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Anomie, MifterFile:Flag of Maldives.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Maldives.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: user:NightstallionFile:Flag of Pakistan.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Pakistan.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Zscout370File:Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Sri_Lanka.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Zscout370File:SAARC Secretariat at Kathmandu.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAARC_Secretariat_at_Kathmandu.JPG  License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: User:सृजनाImage:SAARC.PNG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAARC.PNG  License: Public domain  Contributors: Original uploader was Deepak gupta at en.wikipedia Laterversions were uploaded by Eliashc, Ceeded at en.wikipedia.File:AsiaOrgs.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AsiaOrgs.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: User:SiBr4File:Flag of Australia.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Australia.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Anomie, MifterFile:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:Drawn by User:SKopp, redrawn by User:Denelson83 and User:Zscout370 Recode by cs:User:-xfi- (code), User:Shizhao (colors)File:Flag of Europe.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Europe.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Verdy p, User:-xfi-, User:Paddu,User:Nightstallion, User:Funakoshi, User:Jeltz, User:Dbenbenn, User:Zscout370File:Flag of Japan.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Japan.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: AnomieFile:Flag of Iran.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Iran.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: VariousFile:Flag of Mauritius.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Mauritius.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Zscout370File:Flag of Myanmar.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Myanmar.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: *drew, AnonMoos, Cathy Richards,CommonsDelinker, Cycn, Duduziq, Fry1989, Gunkarta, Homo lupus, Idh0854, Josegeographic, Klemen Kocjancic, Legnaw, Mason Decker, Mattes, Neq00, Nightstallion, Pixeltoo, Rfc1394,Rodejong, SeNeKa, SiBr4, Stevanb, Takahara Osaka, Techman224, ThomasPusch, UnreifeKirsche, Vividuppers, WikipediaMaster, Winzipas, Xiengyod, Zscout370, 白 布 飘 扬, 10anonymous editsFile:Flag of South Korea.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_South_Korea.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: VariousFile:Flag of the United States.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_the_United_States.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: AnomieFile:Flag of Russia.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Russia.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Anomie, Zscout370File:Flag of Turkey.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_Turkey.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: David Benbennick (original author)File:Flag of South Africa.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_South_Africa.svg  License: unknown  Contributors: Adriaan, Anime Addict AA, AnonMoos,BRUTE, Cathy Richards, Daemonic Kangaroo, Dnik, Duduziq, Dzordzm, Fry1989, Homo lupus, Jappalang, Juliancolton, Kam Solusar, Klemen Kocjancic, Klymene, Lexxyy, MAXXX-309,Mahahahaneapneap, Manuelt15, Moviedefender, NeverDoING, Ninane, Pitke, Poznaniak, Przemub, Ricordisamoa, SKopp, Sarang, SiBr4, ThePCKid, ThomasPusch, Tvdm, Ultratomio, Vzb83,Zscout370, 37 anonymous editsFile:SAARC Leaders.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SAARC_Leaders.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: Aze0098, Bikashfunny, RaviCFile:Hamid Karzai in February 2009.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hamid_Karzai_in_February_2009.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: Frank C. Müller,Indeedous, Leit, Mogelzahn, Officer, Ykwyr, ZxxZxxZFile:Sheikh Hassina Cropped UNCTAD.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sheikh_Hassina_Cropped_UNCTAD.JPG  License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 2.0  Contributors: Ctg4Rahat, GbawdenFile:Tshering Tobgay.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Tshering_Tobgay.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors: Hariboneagle927, JuTa,SarahStierchFile:CM Narendra Damodardas Modi.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:CM_Narendra_Damodardas_Modi.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Contributors: AzamBukhari, David Levy, Denniss, FlickreviewR, HPD, Jafeluv, Jianhui67, Shivamsetu, Tom Morris, 6 anonymous editsFile:President_abdulla_yameen.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:President_abdulla_yameen.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: euronewsFile:Sushil Koirala.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Sushil_Koirala.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: User:Krish DulalFile:Nawaz Sharif detail, 981203-D-9880W-117.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nawaz_Sharif_detail,_981203-D-9880W-117.jpg  License: Public Domain Contributors: DoD photo by R. D. WardFile:WEF on the Middle East Arab and foreign Ministers Crop.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:WEF_on_the_Middle_East_Arab_and_foreign_Ministers_Crop.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0  Contributors: World Economic Forum; Nader Daoud. Original uploader was Blackknight12 at en.wikipedia

License 13

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/