In South Asian regional cooperation, where is the Secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation located?

Introduction / Context:
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, commonly known as SAARC, is an important regional organization in South Asia. This question asks you to identify the city where its Secretariat is located. As with many questions on world organizations, knowledge of such headquarters locations is useful for understanding regional diplomacy and common exam patterns.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The organization is SAARC, a regional grouping of South Asian countries.
• The options list Washington, Kathmandu, Hague, and New Delhi as possible Secretariat locations.
• We assume the question refers to the permanent Secretariat that coordinates SAARC activities.
• Standard references state that the SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this question, you rely on factual knowledge. SAARC was formed by countries in South Asia, and they agreed to locate the Secretariat in one of the member states. The choice of Kathmandu reflects Nepal role as a neutral and central location in the region. By matching SAARC with Kathmandu in your memory, you can quickly answer similar questions in exams.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognize that SAARC consists of South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and others. Step 2: Recall that the permanent SAARC Secretariat is hosted by Nepal. Step 3: Identify Kathmandu as the capital city of Nepal. Step 4: Compare this information with the options: Washington, Kathmandu, Hague, and New Delhi. Step 5: Eliminate Washington and Hague, which are not South Asian cities and are not associated with SAARC Secretariat. Step 6: Note that New Delhi is a major South Asian capital but does not host the SAARC Secretariat, which is instead located in Kathmandu. Step 7: Select Kathmandu as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of statements that mention Nepal as the country that hosts the SAARC Secretariat. Many exam questions and textbook explanations repeat that Kathmandu is the permanent location of the SAARC Secretariat. This is reinforced by the fact that SAARC conferences are often reported in connection with Kathmandu, making it easier to remember.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Washington: This city is not in South Asia and is not connected to SAARC Secretariat activities.
Hague: Known for international courts and legal institutions, Hague is not related to SAARC administration.
New Delhi: While India is a major member of SAARC and hosts many summits and meetings, the Secretariat itself is not based in New Delhi.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose New Delhi simply because it is a powerful regional capital. Another pitfall is to confuse SAARC with other international organizations headquartered in different parts of the world. To avoid this, it helps to create a mental association: SAARC equals South Asia equals Kathmandu for the Secretariat, mirroring how ASEAN is linked with Jakarta and the European Union with Brussels.

Final Answer:
The Secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is located in Kathmandu.