- December 8, 1985: SAARC is established through the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- SAARC’s founding members include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
- The primary objective of SAARC is to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation among member states.
- 1987: SAARC conducts its first official summit in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- The organization establishes specialized bodies, including the South Asian Development Fund and the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
- 1991: The SAARC Secretariat is established in Kathmandu to serve as the administrative hub of the organization.
- SAARC conducts regular summits and ministerial meetings to discuss and coordinate regional cooperation efforts.
- 1993: SAARC expands its membership by admitting Afghanistan as its eighth member.
- SAARC establishes the South Asian University, with its headquarters in New Delhi, India, to promote higher education and research cooperation among member states.
- 1995: The first SAARC Summit on Terrorism is held in Male, Maldives, addressing the need for collective action against terrorism.
- SAARC focuses on enhancing regional connectivity through initiatives like the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement and the SAARC Railway Agreement.
- 1997: The Thimphu Statement is adopted, affirming the commitment of SAARC member states to peace, stability, and economic cooperation in the region.
- SAARC establishes technical committees and task forces to address specific sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and tourism.
- 2004: The SAARC Social Charter is adopted, emphasizing the importance of social development, poverty alleviation, and human rights in the region.
- SAARC promotes cultural exchanges through initiatives like the SAARC Cultural Centre and the SAARC Film Festival.
- 2005: SAARC establishes the South Asia Foundation to promote regional cooperation in the fields of education, culture, and development.
- SAARC conducts disaster management exercises and promotes regional cooperation in disaster response and mitigation.
- 2007: The SAARC Development Goals are adopted, outlining the region’s targets in various areas of development.
- SAARC establishes the South Asia Forum for Infrastructure Regulation to promote cooperation in energy, transport, and telecommunications sectors.
- 2008: The SAARC Food Bank Agreement is signed to address food security challenges in the region.
- SAARC conducts joint military exercises and promotes defense cooperation among member states.
- 2010: The SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism is signed, strengthening regional cooperation in countering terrorism.
- SAARC engages in dialogue with observers and dialogue partners, including China, Japan, the United States, and the European Union.
- 2014: The eighteenth SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, is postponed indefinitely due to tensions between India and Pakistan.
- SAARC focuses on promoting regional trade and economic integration through initiatives like SAFTA and the SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services.
- The SAARC Energy Centre is established to promote regional energy cooperation, including the development of renewable energy sources.
- 2014: The SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation is signed, aiming to enhance cooperation in the energy sector among member states.
- SAARC conducts joint efforts to address transnational challenges, including climate change, poverty, and public health issues.
- 2016: The eighteenth SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad, is canceled after several member states withdraw citing security concerns.
- SAARC promotes people-to-people exchanges through initiatives like the SAARC Youth Award and the SAARC Literature Festival.
- The organization focuses on women empowerment, gender equality, and women’s rights through the SAARC Gender Policy and other initiatives.
- SAARC conducts seminars, workshops, and training programs to enhance technical cooperation and capacity-building among member states.
- 2018: The South Asian Satellite, a communication and broadcasting satellite launched by India, is dedicated to the region and offers various services to SAARC member states.
- SAARC engages in dialogue and cooperation on environmental issues, including the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development.
- The organization supports initiatives to promote tourism within the region, including joint marketing campaigns and visa facilitation measures.
- SAARC promotes cooperation in the field of agriculture, including the sharing of best practices, research, and technology transfer.
- The COVID-19 pandemic affects SAARC member states, and the organization conducts virtual meetings to discuss and coordinate the regional response to the crisis.
- SAARC explores opportunities for collaboration in the fields of science, technology, and innovation to foster development and progress in the region.
- The organization addresses regional security challenges through initiatives like the SAARC Regional Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
- SAARC continues to strive for enhanced regional cooperation and integration, focusing on the shared interests and aspirations of member states.