This question was a direct derivative of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) negotiations dominating headlines in 2018. RCEP was defined as 'ASEAN + 6 FTA Partners'. If you knew the RCEP participants, you automatically knew ASEAN's FTA partners. It separates 'Dialogue Partners' (like US/Canada) from 'FTA Partners'.
How this question is built
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements.
Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Statement 1
Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia?
Origin: Direct from books
Fairness: Straightforward
Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
Presence: 5/5
“Countries in East Asia region have thriving trade and economic relations with each other through free trade agreements. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties' participation in economic development of the region, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP was built upon the existing ASEAN+1 FTAs with the spirit to strengthen economic linkages and to enhance trade and investment related activities as well as to contribute to minimising development gap among the parties.”
Why this source?
- Directly names ASEAN’s FTAs and explicitly lists Australia and New Zealand as partners (AANZFTA).
- Places AANZFTA alongside other ASEAN+1 FTAs, showing it is an established ASEAN FTA.
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
Presence: 3/5
“While the ASEAN region as a whole is a much smaller economy compared to the US, the EU, and Japan, its economy is growing much faster than all these. This accounts for the growth in its influence both in the region and beyond. The objectives of the ASEAN Economic Community are to create a common market and production base within ASEAN states and to aid social and economic development in the region. The Economic Community would also like to improve the existing ASEAN Dispute Settlement Mechanism to resolve economic disputes. ASEAN has focused on creating a Free Trade Area (FTA) for investment, labour, and services.”
Why this source?
- States ASEAN’s policy focus on creating a Free Trade Area, providing institutional context for such FTAs.
- Supports interpretation that ASEAN engages in FTAs with external partners as part of its economic community aims.
Statement 2
Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada?
Origin: Weak / unclear
Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
Strength: 5/5
“Countries in East Asia region have thriving trade and economic relations with each other through free trade agreements. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties' participation in economic development of the region, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP was built upon the existing ASEAN+1 FTAs with the spirit to strengthen economic linkages and to enhance trade and investment related activities as well as to contribute to minimising development gap among the parties.”
Why relevant
Gives an explicit list of ASEAN's bilateral/plus-one FTAs (China, Korea, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand), showing which partners ASEAN has formal FTAs with.
How to extend
A student could compare this list to a world map or a list of countries to note that Canada is not listed and therefore suspect Canada is not an ASEAN FTA partner.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Free Trade Area (FTA) > p. 504
Strength: 4/5
“It deals with removal of trade barriers (both tariff and non-tariff). It is considered as an open border relationship among regional (member) countries. Members are independent to create other trade relations with non-member countries. It is the second stage of economic integration.
Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), etc. are examples of FTA.”
Why relevant
Defines AFTA/FTA and lists ASEAN Free Trade Area as an example of regional FTAs, clarifying the kinds of arrangements ASEAN uses for trade liberalization.
How to extend
Knowing what counts as an ASEAN FTA, a student could check whether Canada appears in formal ASEAN+1 or regional FTA names or documents.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.13 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and RCEP > p. 393
Strength: 4/5
“India has bilateral FTAs with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Thailand, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Malaysia and Japan and regional trade agreements, the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA, 2004) and India - ASEAN Agreement (2010).”
Why relevant
Notes the India–ASEAN Agreement (2010) and lists India's FTAs, illustrating ASEAN's practice of signing bilateral/regional agreements with major partners.
How to extend
A student could use this pattern (ASEAN signs named agreements with each partner) to look for a similarly named ASEAN–Canada FTA; absence would suggest no FTA.
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
Strength: 3/5
“Thailand. The ASEAN-India FTA came into effect in 2010. ASEAN's strength, however, lies in its policies of interaction and consultation with member states, with dialogue partners, and with other non-regional organisations. It is the only regional association in Asia that provides a political forum where Asian countries and the major powers can discuss political and security concerns.”
Why relevant
Specifically states the ASEAN–India FTA came into effect in 2010, providing an example of ASEAN's bilateral FTA processes and timelines.
How to extend
Using this as a model, a student could search authoritative treaty lists for an 'ASEAN–Canada FTA' or comparable entry; none found would be telling.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 395
Strength: 3/5
“• India does not have any FTA with China and still there are huge imports from China. Signing RCEP would have given China more access and cheaper products from China would have flooded the Indian market. India was seeking an auto-trigger mechanism through which it could raise tariffs on products in instances where imports crossed a certain threshold, but member countries did not agree.• India was asking for 2014 as the base year for reduction of tariffs/duties on the products in the RCEP deal but this was also not met. (Actually, in these trade deals member countries are asked to reduce import duties in percentage terms from a particular base year.”
Why relevant
Explains RCEP was built upon existing ASEAN+1 FTAs, implying ASEAN's external trade links are typically formalized as ASEAN+1 FTAs with named partners.
How to extend
A student could check RCEP/ASEAN+1 membership lists to see if Canada is part of those ASEAN+1 FTAs—absence would support doubt about an ASEAN–Canada FTA.
Statement 3
Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with China?
Origin: Direct from books
Fairness: Straightforward
Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
Presence: 5/5
“Countries in East Asia region have thriving trade and economic relations with each other through free trade agreements. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties' participation in economic development of the region, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP was built upon the existing ASEAN+1 FTAs with the spirit to strengthen economic linkages and to enhance trade and investment related activities as well as to contribute to minimising development gap among the parties.”
Why this source?
- Explicitly lists ASEAN's FTAs and names China (ACFTA) as one of the partners.
- Uses the acronym ACFTA, indicating an established ASEAN–China FTA.
- Places ASEAN–China FTA among other formal ASEAN+1 FTAs used as building blocks for regional deals.
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
Presence: 3/5
“The US and China have already moved fast to negotiate FTAs with ASEAN. ASEAN is rapidly growing into a very important regional organisation. Its Vision 2020 has defined an outward-looking role for ASEAN in the international community. This builds on the existing ASEAN policy to encourage negotiation over conflicts in the region. Thus, ASEAN has mediated the end of the Cambodian conflict, the East Timor crisis, and meets annually to discuss East Asian cooperation. The current economic strength of ASEAN, especially its economic relevance as a trading and investment partner to the growing Asian economies such as India and China, makes this an attractive proposition.”
Why this source?
- States that China moved quickly to negotiate FTAs with ASEAN, supporting the existence of China–ASEAN FTA processes and engagement.
- Highlights ASEAN's outward-looking role that makes FTAs with major partners like China plausible and likely.
Statement 4
Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with India?
Origin: Direct from books
Fairness: Straightforward
Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
Presence: 5/5
“Countries in East Asia region have thriving trade and economic relations with each other through free trade agreements. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties' participation in economic development of the region, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP was built upon the existing ASEAN+1 FTAs with the spirit to strengthen economic linkages and to enhance trade and investment related activities as well as to contribute to minimising development gap among the parties.”
Why this source?
- Explicitly lists India (AIFTA) among ASEAN's free trade agreements with partners.
- States ASEAN has FTAs with six partners and names 'India (AIFTA)' directly.
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
Presence: 5/5
“Thailand. The ASEAN-India FTA came into effect in 2010. ASEAN's strength, however, lies in its policies of interaction and consultation with member states, with dialogue partners, and with other non-regional organisations. It is the only regional association in Asia that provides a political forum where Asian countries and the major powers can discuss political and security concerns.”
Why this source?
- States the ASEAN-India FTA came into effect in 2010.
- Directly confirms the operational status and year of the ASEAN–India trade pact.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.13 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and RCEP > p. 393
Presence: 5/5
“India has bilateral FTAs with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Thailand, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Malaysia and Japan and regional trade agreements, the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA, 2004) and India - ASEAN Agreement (2010).”
Why this source?
- Mentions the 'India - ASEAN Agreement (2010)' as a regional trade agreement involving India.
- Supports that India has a formal regional agreement with ASEAN dating to 2010.
Statement 5
Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan?
Origin: Direct from books
Fairness: Straightforward
Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
Presence: 5/5
“Countries in East Asia region have thriving trade and economic relations with each other through free trade agreements. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties' participation in economic development of the region, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP was built upon the existing ASEAN+1 FTAs with the spirit to strengthen economic linkages and to enhance trade and investment related activities as well as to contribute to minimising development gap among the parties.”
Why this source?
- Explicitly lists Japan (AJCEP) among ASEAN's free trade agreement partners.
- Names the ASEAN–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) as an ASEAN FTA.
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
Presence: 3/5
“While the ASEAN region as a whole is a much smaller economy compared to the US, the EU, and Japan, its economy is growing much faster than all these. This accounts for the growth in its influence both in the region and beyond. The objectives of the ASEAN Economic Community are to create a common market and production base within ASEAN states and to aid social and economic development in the region. The Economic Community would also like to improve the existing ASEAN Dispute Settlement Mechanism to resolve economic disputes. ASEAN has focused on creating a Free Trade Area (FTA) for investment, labour, and services.”
Why this source?
- Confirms ASEAN's policy focus on creating Free Trade Areas and an ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
- Provides contextual support that ASEAN engages in FTAs with external partners.
Statement 6
Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs
Fairness: CA heavy
Web-answerable
"| Multilateral | * [ASEAN FTA](/wiki/ASEAN_Free_Trade_Area "ASEAN Free Trade Area")
...
* [United States](/wiki/Australia%E2%80%93United_States_Free_Trade_Agreement "Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement")"
Why this source?
- Shows an explicit multilateral entry for the ASEAN Free Trade Area (ASEAN FTA), indicating ASEAN's regional FTA structure.
- In the same passage the United States appears separately as a bilateral FTA partner of Australia, not as a party to the ASEAN FTA — implying the US is not listed as part of the ASEAN multilateral FTA here.
"| Multilateral | * [ASEAN FTA](/wiki/ASEAN_Free_Trade_Area "ASEAN Free Trade Area")"
Why this source?
- Lists 'ASEAN FTA' explicitly under multilateral agreements, confirming the existence of an ASEAN regional FTA.
- Does not list the United States as a participant in that multilateral entry in this passage.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
Strength: 5/5
“Countries in East Asia region have thriving trade and economic relations with each other through free trade agreements. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties' participation in economic development of the region, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP was built upon the existing ASEAN+1 FTAs with the spirit to strengthen economic linkages and to enhance trade and investment related activities as well as to contribute to minimising development gap among the parties.”
Why relevant
Lists the specific partners with which ASEAN has FTAs (China, Korea, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand).
How to extend
A student can compare this explicit list of ASEAN FTA partners with the US to note the US is not named and therefore likely not an FTA partner.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 395
Strength: 4/5
“• India does not have any FTA with China and still there are huge imports from China. Signing RCEP would have given China more access and cheaper products from China would have flooded the Indian market. India was seeking an auto-trigger mechanism through which it could raise tariffs on products in instances where imports crossed a certain threshold, but member countries did not agree.• India was asking for 2014 as the base year for reduction of tariffs/duties on the products in the RCEP deal but this was also not met. (Actually, in these trade deals member countries are asked to reduce import duties in percentage terms from a particular base year.”
Why relevant
Explains RCEP was built upon existing ASEAN+1 FTAs, implying ASEAN typically concludes FTAs with individual partner countries/blocks (ASEAN+1 pattern).
How to extend
Using the ASEAN+1 pattern, a student can check whether the US appears as an ASEAN+1 partner — if not, that suggests no comparable ASEAN–US FTA exists.
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
Strength: 3/5
“While the ASEAN region as a whole is a much smaller economy compared to the US, the EU, and Japan, its economy is growing much faster than all these. This accounts for the growth in its influence both in the region and beyond. The objectives of the ASEAN Economic Community are to create a common market and production base within ASEAN states and to aid social and economic development in the region. The Economic Community would also like to improve the existing ASEAN Dispute Settlement Mechanism to resolve economic disputes. ASEAN has focused on creating a Free Trade Area (FTA) for investment, labour, and services.”
Why relevant
States ASEAN's objective to create a Free Trade Area and focuses on internal/regional integration and FTAs for investment, labour, services.
How to extend
A student can infer ASEAN's FTA activity centers on regional and specific partner agreements rather than a blanket FTA with a major non-regional power like the US, prompting verification.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.13 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and RCEP > p. 393
Strength: 3/5
“India has bilateral FTAs with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Thailand, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Malaysia and Japan and regional trade agreements, the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA, 2004) and India - ASEAN Agreement (2010).”
Why relevant
Gives an example of ASEAN's FTA relationships by noting the ASEAN–India Agreement (2010) and other bilateral/regional FTAs involving India.
How to extend
A student can use these examples of ASEAN pairing with specific countries/blocks to check whether a similar ASEAN–US agreement is listed in reference sources.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Free Trade Area (FTA) > p. 504
Strength: 3/5
“It deals with removal of trade barriers (both tariff and non-tariff). It is considered as an open border relationship among regional (member) countries. Members are independent to create other trade relations with non-member countries. It is the second stage of economic integration.
Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), etc. are examples of FTA.”
Why relevant
Defines what an FTA is and gives examples (including ASEAN Free Trade Area, AFTA), clarifying that FTAs are explicit agreements among named parties.
How to extend
Knowing an FTA requires an explicit agreement, a student can look for a formal ASEAN–US agreement; absence of such a named agreement in the provided lists is suggestive.
Pattern takeaway:
UPSC tests the 'legal architecture' of groupings, not just the names. They didn't ask 'Who is in RCEP?'; they asked the *pre-condition* for being in RCEP (having an FTA with ASEAN). Always study the foundational logic of a coalition.
How you should have studied
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for current affairs trackers; Trap for static-only readers. Source: Standard Economy texts (Vivek Singh) or any 2018 RCEP explainer.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: International Trade Blocs & Regional Economic Integration (specifically the RCEP vs. TPP narrative).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the concentric circles of ASEAN diplomacy: ASEAN (10) -> ASEAN+3 (China, Japan, S. Korea) -> ASEAN+6 (Add India, Aus, NZ = RCEP scope) -> East Asia Summit (Add US, Russia). Note that US/Russia are EAS members but NOT FTA partners.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a grouping like RCEP is in the news, do not just memorize the member list. Ask 'What is the entry criteria?' For RCEP, the criterion was 'Must already have an FTA with ASEAN'. This question tested that underlying criterion.
Concept hooks from this question
👉 ASEAN+1 Free Trade Agreements (ASEAN+1 FTAs)
💡 The insight
References refer to ASEAN’s bilateral/regional FTAs with individual external partners and RCEP being built on these ASEAN+1 FTAs.
High-yield for UPSC: understanding ASEAN+1 FTAs explains regional trade architecture in Asia, interlinks with RCEP and bilateral trade policy questions, and helps answer queries about trade partners and integration strategies. Master via mapping major ASEAN FTAs and their partners.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 395
🔗 Anchor: "Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia?"
👉 AANZFTA (ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand FTA)
💡 The insight
Explicitly named in the evidence as the FTA that links ASEAN with Australia (and New Zealand).
Directly answers questions on ASEAN’s trade partners; useful for questions on regional trade blocs, trade agreements, and bilateral economic relations. Learn key FTAs and partner states to quickly identify trade linkages in MCQs and short-answer questions.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
🔗 Anchor: "Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia?"
👉 ASEAN Economic Community & FTA objective
💡 The insight
Evidence highlights ASEAN’s goal to create a common market and focus on Free Trade Areas for investment, labour, and services.
Important for essays and mains answers on regional integration — explains why ASEAN pursues FTAs and how they fit into broader economic community goals; connects to topics on economic integration, trade policy, and regional diplomacy. Study AEC pillars and FTA impacts across sectors.
📚 Reading List :
- 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
- 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
🔗 Anchor: "Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia?"
👉 ASEAN+1 Free Trade Agreements (ASEAN FTA partners)
💡 The insight
Reference [1] lists the countries with which ASEAN has established bilateral/ASEAN+1 FTAs.
High-yield for UPSC: knowing which external partners have ASEAN FTAs helps answer questions on regional trade architecture, RCEP origins, and bilateral trade policy. It connects trade diplomacy to regional economic integration and aids elimination-style questions (which partners are/aren't in ASEAN FTAs). Study by memorising partner lists and cross-referencing with RCEP membership.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
🔗 Anchor: "Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada?"
👉 ASEAN–India FTA (timing and scope)
💡 The insight
References [2] and [6] refer specifically to the ASEAN–India Agreement and note the FTA came into effect in 2010.
Important for questions on India’s trade relations and ASEAN’s bilateral FTAs; helps map India's regional trade agreements, their implementation years, and implications (e.g., tariff schedules). Useful for essays/analytical questions on India's trade strategy in Southeast Asia and for comparing bilateral FTAs.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.13 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and RCEP > p. 393
- 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
🔗 Anchor: "Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada?"
👉 ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
💡 The insight
References [3] and [4] discuss AFTA as an example of an FTA and the AEC’s objective to create a common market/FTA for investment, labour, and services.
Core concept for UPSC: distinguishes FTA (AFTA) from broader integration (AEC), relevant for questions on stages of economic integration, regional institutions, and policy aims. Mastering this helps answer comparative questions on ASEAN vs EU models and evaluate policy instruments like dispute settlement and tariff liberalisation.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Free Trade Area (FTA) > p. 504
- 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
🔗 Anchor: "Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada?"
👉 ASEAN+1 Free Trade Agreements (ASEAN's bilateral FTAs)
💡 The insight
Reference [1] explicitly lists ASEAN's FTAs with partners including China (ACFTA), showing ASEAN's network of bilateral FTAs.
High-yield for questions on regional economic integration — explains concrete bilateral FTA relationships (ACFTA, AKFTA, AJCEP, AIFTA, AANZFTA). Useful for answering questions on trade architecture in East/Southeast Asia and for comparing trade ties of ASEAN members.
📚 Reading List :
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
🔗 Anchor: "Does ASEAN have a free trade agreement (FTA) with China?"
The East Asia Summit (EAS) membership. While the US and Russia are NOT FTA partners (excluded in this question), they ARE members of the East Asia Summit. A future question will likely swap these lists to trap you.
Use the 'Geographic/Geopolitical Integration' logic. ASEAN is an Asian-centric bloc. China (3) is the immediate giant neighbor—an FTA is inevitable. USA (6) prefers high-standard, strategic deals (like TPP) rather than ASEAN-centric ones. If you eliminate USA (6) as 'too distant/demanding', options B and D are gone. Between A and C, you must choose between Canada (2) and China (3). China is the factory of Asia; Canada is a distant resource economy. China is the logical FTA partner.
Connects to GS-2 (India's Act East Policy) and GS-3 (Trade Deficits). India's withdrawal from RCEP in 2019 was precisely because these 'FTA Partners' (specifically China) would gain duty-free access to Indian markets, threatening domestic manufacturing.