UPSC Prelims 2009 Q32: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings

UPSC Prelims 2009, General Studies Paper I · Current Affairs

Consider the following countries : 1. Brunei Darussalam 2. East Timor 3. Laos Which of the above is/are member/members of ASEAN ?

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

Checking ASEAN membership among three countries

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has a specific, defined membership list.

Country	Verdict	Reason
1. Brunei Darussalam	ASEAN member	Brunei is indeed one of the founding/early ASEAN member states
2. East Timor	Not an ASEAN member	East Timor is not an ASEAN member (it is geographically in the region but has not joined)
3. Laos	ASEAN member	Laos is also an ASEAN member state

ASEAN membership facts:

Point	Detail
ASEAN members (among these)	Brunei and Laos
Not a member	East Timor

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.

(a) Incorrect. Country 3 (Laos) is also an ASEAN member, so '1 only' is incomplete.
(b) Incorrect. Country 2 (East Timor) is not an ASEAN member, so '2 and 3 only' wrongly includes it.
(c) CORRECT. Brunei and Laos are both ASEAN members; East Timor is not.
(d) Incorrect. Country 2 (East Timor) is not an ASEAN member, so 'all three' cannot be correct.

Brunei Darussalam and Laos are both ASEAN members — East Timor, despite its Southeast Asian location, is NOT an ASEAN member.

Among Brunei, East Timor, and Laos: Brunei and Laos are ASEAN members; East Timor is not.

Assuming all geographically Southeast Asian nations are automatically ASEAN members.
Not knowing East Timor's non-member status despite regional proximity.
Confusing ASEAN's membership list with broader regional groupings.

ASEAN has 10 defined member states — East Timor, despite being in the region, is NOT one of them.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations — The ASEAN Charter (2007): member states
Encyclopaedia Britannica — East Timor