Previous Year Question

1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation—APEC

India is not a member of APEC.

APEC was established in 1989 to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. It officially uses the expression member economies, rather than member countries.

APEC has 21 member economies. Despite being a major economy in the Asia-Pacific region, India is not one of them. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

2. Association of Southeast Asian Nations—ASEAN

India is not a member of ASEAN.

India became:

• A Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 1992;

• A Full Dialogue Partner in 1996;

• A Summit-level Partner in 2002;

• A Strategic Partner in 2012.

In 2022, the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Despite these close institutional relations, India is not an ASEAN member. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

3. East Asia Summit—EAS

India is a member or participating country of the East Asia Summit—EAS. The first EAS was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 14 December 2005, and India was one of its founding participants.

In 2015, the EAS consisted of 18 participating countries:

• The then 10 ASEAN members;

• India, China, Japan and South Korea;

• Australia and New Zealand;

• Russia and the United States.

The EAS is a leaders-led forum. Its areas of cooperation include peace and security, maritime cooperation, trade, energy, finance, education, health, environment, food security and disaster management.

Therefore, only Statement 3 is correct. The answer is (b).

Current position (2026)

Following Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN, ASEAN now has 11 members, while the East Asia Summit has 19 participating countries. India remains:

• Outside APEC;

• A Comprehensive Strategic Partner, but not a member, of ASEAN;

• A participating country of the East Asia Summit.