Question

UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

Consider the following countries:

Australia

Canada

China

India

Japan

USA

Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ASEAN?

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5
2. 3, 4, 5 and 6
3. 1, 3, 4 and 5
4. 2, 3, 4 and 6

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3: 1, 3, 4 and 5

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Other members that joined later include - Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia.
It has existing free trade agreements with Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. So, points 1, 3, 4 and 5 are correct.
It does not have a free trade agreement with Canada and the United States of America (USA). So, points 2 and 6 are not correct.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | International Relations

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