ASEAN Countries List, Map, Objectives, Members, Functions

ASEAN Countries

ASEAN Countries: We can say Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. It is a regional organization created to support political and social stability in the face of escalating tensions among the post-colonial states of the Asia-Pacific. Since ASEAN was founded on August 8th, 1967, the 8th of August has been recognized as ASEAN Day. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are the founding nations of ASEAN.

ASEAN was created to foster social and political stability in response to conflicts in the Asia-Pacific. Its motto is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.” The organization plays a key role in trade, politics, and security in the region. The chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually among member states in alphabetical order.

One must study all relavant information about ASEAN Countries, including its history, member nations, objectives, significance, connected organizations, and a host of other topics, in order to be fully prepared for the UPSC Exams. We will be putting light on all the crucial areas that must be covered for effectively preparing through this essay about ASEAN.

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ASEAN Countries History

Origin

Five leaders, including the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, signed a document on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established as a result of the agreement.

The document was signed by five leaders:

• Adam Malik from Indonesia,
• Narciso R. Ramos from the Philippines,
• Tun Abdul Razak from Malaysia,
• S. Rajaratnam from Singapore, and
• Thanat Khoman from Thailand.

They are known as the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, one of the most successful groups of countries in the developing world. ASEAN was created with goals outlined in the ASEAN Declaration, which called for cooperation among Southeast Asian nations. All countries that agreed with ASEAN’s goals were invited to join. The declaration emphasized the commitment of Southeast Asian countries to unite in friendship and cooperation to achieve peace, independence, and prosperity for their people now and in the future.

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ASEAN Countries Members

ASEAN consists of 10 members:

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ASEAN Countries Objectives

The Major objectives are as follows:

• Encourage cooperation and support in social, cultural, economic, scientific, administrative, and technological areas that matter to all.
• Build strong, beneficial relationships with global and regional organizations.
• Work together to improve agriculture, industry, trade, infrastructure, transportation, and quality of life for citizens.
  Promote research about Southeast Asia.
• Strive for a successful and harmonious Southeast Asia, focusing on economic growth, social improvement, and cultural development.
• Foster regional peace and security by upholding fairness and the rule of law, in line with United Nations principles.

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ASEAN Countries Functions

The third-largest market in the world is held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is larger than the EU and North America put together. It is Asia’s third-largest economy and the sixth-largest economy in the globe. Mutual regard for each other’s sovereignties, equality, and respect for each country’s unique national character are among ASEAN’s core values. It highlights the importance of allowing each state to govern itself without outside interference. It aims for peaceful solutions to conflicts between nations and stresses the need for good communication and cooperation among countries and their neighbors.

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ASEAN Countries Significance

When seen from the perspective of the global market, ASEAN is the dominant force, even more dominant than the European Union and North America combined. Due to its immense significance, ASEAN has risen to the position of fourth most popular investment destination worldwide. The ASEAN region is home to the third-largest market, sixth-largest economy, and third-largest economy in Asia. In the World Export system, ASEAN’s percentage has climbed from 2% to 7% between 1967 and 2016. This demonstrates that ASEAN’s financial opportunities for trading are dramatically rising.

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INDIA and ASEAN Countries

Because ASEAN was in the US camp during the Cold War, India’s relations with ASEAN did not improve after independence due to ideological differences. Due to shared dangers and objectives following the end of the Cold War, India and ASEAN relations have advanced beyond purely economic connections to geopolitical heights.

In 1996, India joined the ASEAN Regional Forum to discuss security in Asia and promote peace. Yearly summit meetings between India and ASEAN started in 2002. A free trade agreement for goods was completed in 2009, followed by the India-ASEAN Strategic Partnership in 2012. In 2014, they signed a free trade agreement for services and investment to boost labor and investment flow. In 2018, a commemorative summit marked 25 years of their relationship, with leaders from all 10 ASEAN nations attending India’s Republic Day parade.

Economic Cooperation

• The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area is now complete, and ASEAN is India’s fourth-largest economic partner.
• The ASEAN India-Business Council (AIBC) was established in 2003 to provide a forum for important figures in the ASEAN and Indian commercial sectors.
• Financial assistance has been provided to ASEAN countries from the following Funds:
  • ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund
  • ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund
  • ASEAN-India Green Fund
• Cooperation in the maritime domain is mentioned in the Delhi Declaration.
• Delhi Dialogue: An annual forum for India and ASEAN to discuss political, security, and economic matters.
• The ASEAN-India Centre (AIC) will do policy research, advocate for causes, and engage in networking with groups and think tanks in India and ASEAN.
• Political Security Cooperation: In its Indo-Pacific vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region, India placed ASEAN at the centre.

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