South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) is an organization of South Asian nations founded in 1985 . It is dedicated to economic, technological, social, and cultural development of the South Asian region. Its seven founding members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan joined the organisation in 2007. SAARC is headquarted in Kathmandu Nepal and meetings of heads of state are usually scheduled annually.