Consider the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- India
- Japan
- USA
Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(b) 3, 4, 5 and 6
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
(d) 2, 3, 4 and 6
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- ASEAN, which stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, consists of ten member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, ASEAN aims to foster economic, political, and security collaboration among its member nations.
- In addition to its member countries, ASEAN has formed free trade agreements (FTAs) with six Dialogue Partners. These partners include China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
- These FTAs serve to enhance trade and economic relations between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners.
