UPSC Prelims 2015 Q57: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
India is a member of which among the following?
1. Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation
2. Association of South - East Asian Nations
3. East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) India is a member of none of them
Answer: (b) 3 only
Explanation
India's membership of regional groupings
| Grouping | Is India a member? | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) | No | 21 Pacific Rim economies; India has sought membership |
| 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) | No | 10 South-East Asian members; India is a dialogue partner |
| 3. East Asia Summit | Yes | India is a founding member (2005) |
East Asia Summit members (18):
| Group | Countries |
|---|---|
| ASEAN | 10 members |
| Others | India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Russia |
India is also in the ASEAN Regional Forum and has an ASEAN-India Free Trade Area.
Answer: (b) 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. India is a member of neither APEC nor ASEAN.
- (b) CORRECT. India is a member of the East Asia Summit only.
- (c) Incorrect. India is not a member of APEC or ASEAN.
- (d) Incorrect. India is a founding member of the East Asia Summit.
Key point
India: member of the East Asia Summit (founder, 2005) and ASEAN Regional Forum; not a member of APEC or ASEAN (dialogue partner only).
Remember
India: East Asia Summit yes; ASEAN and APEC no.
Common mistakes
- Treating India's partnership with ASEAN as membership.
- Assuming India is in APEC because it is a large Asian economy.
- Forgetting that the East Asia Summit is wider than East Asia.
Exam tip
ASEAN is only for South-East Asian countries. India takes part through ASEAN-plus forums.
Sources
- Ministry of External Affairs — India and the East Asia Summit brief
- ASEAN Secretariat — ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations