The secretariat of the Association of SAARC is situated at:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:
The correct option is 3:
The secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is officially situated in Kathmandu, Nepal. While the Association itself was established in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1985, the permanent administrative and coordinating body—the Secretariat—was formally inaugurated in Kathmandu on January 16, 1987. Nepal, being one of the seven founding members and located centrally within the region, was chosen as the host nation for this vital institution. The Secretariat is the principal organ responsible for implementing the decisions of the SAARC summits and Council of Ministers, coordinating with member states, and facilitating interaction with other international and regional organizations. Therefore, when asked about the location of the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu is the only correct answer.

The incorrect option is 1:
New Delhi, India, is incorrect. Although India is the largest member country of SAARC and plays a significant role in its regional cooperation initiatives, its capital city was not selected to host the permanent Secretariat. The selection of the host country for the Secretariat is a political and diplomatic decision among member states. While New Delhi is home to important SAARC diplomatic missions and frequently hosts various official meetings and conferences, it does not house the organization's headquarters.

The incorrect option is 2:
Mumbai, India, is incorrect. Mumbai is globally recognized as the financial and commercial capital of India, and it serves as a major hub for national and international business. However, the location for the Secretariat of a regional political and economic body like SAARC is always the capital city of one of its member states. Mumbai has no direct institutional or administrative role with the SAARC Secretariat.

The incorrect option is 4:
Geneva, Switzerland, is incorrect. Geneva is a major global center for international diplomacy, hosting the headquarters of numerous universal organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). SAARC, conversely, is a specific *regional* organization focused exclusively on cooperation and development among the nations of South Asia. To maintain its regional focus, its headquarters is situated within a capital city in the South Asian region itself.