The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SARRC) celebrates its silver jubilee today. Established 25 years ago on December 8, 1985, SAARC now comprises eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The SAARC nations are home to nearly 1.5 billion people or about 22 percent of the world population. The heads of the states these countries set up SAARC, keeping in view the welfare of the people, peace, stability and progress of South Asian region by fostering mutual understanding, meaningful cooperation and good neighbourly relations among members states. On this day, 25 years ago, the heads of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka gathered in Dhaka and signed a document, expressing their desire to promote peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter and Non-Alignment.