South Asian leaders signed the SAARC Charter at the first summit in _________ in the year 1985.
Understanding the First SAARC Summit
The question asks about the location where the SAARC Charter was signed at the first summit of South Asian leaders in 1985.
SAARC stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It is an intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. It was established to promote economic and regional integration.
Formation of SAARC and the First Summit
The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first mooted in 1980. Consultations among the seven prospective member countries followed, leading to the first summit meeting.
The first SAARC summit was a historic event where the leaders of the seven founding nations formally established the organization and signed its foundational document.
- The summit marked the official birth of SAARC.
- Leaders from the seven South Asian countries attended.
- The SAARC Charter, the constitution of the organization, was signed during this summit.
Historical records show that this crucial first summit took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in December 1985.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options:
- Dhaka: Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh. The first SAARC summit was indeed held here in December 1985. This is where the SAARC Charter was signed.
- Delhi: Delhi is the capital of India. While India is a founding member of SAARC, the first summit was not held in Delhi. Delhi has hosted subsequent SAARC summits (e.g., the 3rd summit in 1987 and the 14th summit in 2007).
- Thimphu: Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. Bhutan is a SAARC member, and Thimphu has hosted SAARC summits (e.g., the 16th summit in 2010), but not the first one.
- Colombo: Colombo is a major city in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a SAARC member, and Colombo has hosted SAARC summits (e.g., the 4th summit in 1988 and the 15th summit in 2008), but not the first one.
Based on the historical facts regarding the formation of SAARC, the first summit where the SAARC Charter was signed in 1985 was held in Dhaka.
Conclusion
The first SAARC summit, where the SAARC Charter was signed in 1985 by South Asian leaders, took place in Dhaka.
Revision Table: SAARC Key Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Form | South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation |
| Established | December 8, 1985 |
| Founding Members | Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |
| Later Member | Afghanistan (joined in 2007) |
| First Summit Location | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| First Summit Year | 1985 |
| Key Outcome of First Summit | Signing of the SAARC Charter |
Additional Information: Objectives of SAARC
The main objectives of SAARC, as outlined in the SAARC Charter, include:
- To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.
- To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region.
- To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.
- To contribute to mutual trust, understanding, and appreciation of one another's problems.
- To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific fields.
- To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
- To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest.
- To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.
Understanding the context and history of SAARC, including the location of its foundational summit, is important for comprehending regional cooperation in South Asia.
Important Questions from International
In which city is the 88-storey twin-tower building called Petronas Tower located?
Which of the following books has been authored by Angie Thomas in 2017?
Which of the following agencies publishes the 'World Happiness Report'?
In the two lists given below, List I provides the list of Treaties, while List II indicates Years. Match the two lists and choose the correct answer from the code given below:
List I
(Treaties)
List II
(Year)
(a)
Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
(i)
2002
(b)
Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty
(ii)
1991
(c)
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty - I (START-I)
(iii)
1972
(d)
Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty (SORT)
(iv)
1996
Who said that "We must deal wisely with the world's largest democracy... We need to work harder and more consistently to assist India... while not neglecting our friends in Pakistan"?
