Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the newest or most recent country to join the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Step 2: Key Concept:
SAARC was founded in 1985 with seven members. Its membership was expanded once after its formation.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The founding members of SAARC in 1985 were Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
For many years, the membership stood at seven.
In 2007, at the 14th SAARC summit in New Delhi, Afghanistan was admitted as the eighth member of the organization.
Therefore, Afghanistan is the last and newest member of SAARC.
Step 4: Final Answer
Afghanistan was the last country to become a member of SAARC.