Which one of the following countries is not a member of ASEAN ?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 by the Bangkok Declaration [c1][c2]. Its founding members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand [t6]. Over subsequent decades, the membership expanded to include Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999) [t6][t9]. While India is a significant strategic partner and participates in ASEAN-led platforms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), it is not a member of the association [c2][t1]. India's engagement is primarily driven by its 'Act East' Policy and various trade agreements, such as the ASEAN-India FTA [c3][c4]. Therefore, among the given options, India is the only country that is not a member of ASEAN [c2][t1].

Sources

1. [1] Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > 20 Contemporary World Politics > p. 20
2. [2] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > ASEAN > p. 550
3. [3] Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) > p. 21
4. [4] Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > 22 Contemporary World Politics > p. 22
5. [5] https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-ASEAN-Relations-August-2018.pdf
6. [6] https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-asean