SAARC was founded inDhaka on 8 December 1985.[3] Its secretariat is based inKathmandu, Nepal. The organization promotes economic development andregional integration.[4] It launched theSouth Asian Free Trade Area in 2006.[5] SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities, including theEuropean Union. However, due to the geopolitical conflict between India and Pakistan and the situation in Afghanistan, the organization has been suspended for a long time, and India currently cooperates with its eastern neighbors throughBIMSTEC.[6][7]