The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
- (a) G20
- (b) ASEAN ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) SCO
- (d) SAARC
Why the answer is (b)
• RCEP is a free-trade agreement negotiated from 2012 among the ten ASEAN members and their FTA partners — China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and originally India — and signed in 2020 — option (b).
• India withdrew in November 2019 over fears of Chinese imports and inadequate safeguards for farmers and dairy.
• It is not a G20 (a), SCO (c) or SAARC (d) initiative.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) G20
- RCEP is not a G20 initiative.
- (c) SCO
- RCEP is not an SCO initiative.
- (d) SAARC
- RCEP is not a SAARC initiative.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.