INDIA

INDIA / भारत.

First South Asian Regional Cooperation Meeting.
Map of South Asian region.
First stamp in a set of 2, issued on 08.12.1985.
Face value: 1 Indian rupee.
Printing: Photogravure.
Printed by Security Printing Press, Nasik.

Catalogs
- Michel No. 1038.
- Scott No. 1104.
- StampWorld No. 1041.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 1172.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 853.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Association was founded in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 8 December 1985 (as this stamp commemorates) by seven states (Afghanistan joined in 2005). Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The organization promotes development of economic and regional integration. It launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006. The SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities, including the European Union.

PAKISTAN

PAKISTAN / پاكِستان.

Map of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
Second stamp in a set of 3, issued on 15.08.1956.
Face value: 2 Pakistani annas.
Printing: Recess.
Print: 500,000 copies.
Size: 32 x 41 mm.

Catalogues
- Michel No. 85.
- Scott No. 85.
- StampWorld No. 93.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 85.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 85.

The borders of this territory were established in 1947, and the region became the eastern part of the newly formed Pakistan. However, it was separated from the western part by 1600 km (994 mi) of Indian territory. In 1971, political and linguistic discrimination, and economic neglect, led to a series of conflicts with Pakistan, leading to the War of Liberation following a declaration proclaiming the autonomous nation status of Bangladesh. The conflict ended on December 16 of the same year, the date on which the independence of the new Bengali state was recognized. The total area of the territory is 148,460 km² (57,320 sq mi).