2. Association of South East Asian Nations

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS(ASEAN)

• Association of South East Asian Nations.
• ASEAN was established in 1967 by signing of Bangkok Declaration, by 5 countries of the region, namely:
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1. Indonesia
2. Malaysia
3. Philippines
4. Singapore
5. Thailand

• Later South East Asia region joined, namely:
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1. Brunei Darussalam
2. Lao PDR
3. Myanmar (Burma)
4. Vietnam
5. Cambodia

joined making total count to 10.

•  The objectives of ASEAN were to accelerate economic growth and through that ‘social progress and cultural development’ and promote regional peace and stability based on the rule of law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
• After the Second World War, when the war ended Asia confronted problems of nation building, ravages of poverty and economic backwardness and the pressure to align with great power and therefore for informal corporation interaction ASEAN was formed.
• ASEAN countries celebrate a day known as “ASEAN WAY” in which these countries do not talk about any war, it is informal and cooperative talk.
• Its aim is to achieve sovereignty.
• In 2003, ASEAN decided to evolve like European Union, so established ASEAN community also known as the 3 pillars, namely:
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1. The ASEAN Security Community
2. The ASEAN Economic Community
3. The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community

• ASEAN Security Community
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1. It was made because, if there was a dispute among neighboring countries regarding territory, they solve it by talking politely without any war.
2. ASEAN sign several agreements in which the member states promise to maintain peace, stay neutral, always cooperate, non-interference and respect for the national differences and sovereign rights.
3. The ASEAN regional forum, it was established in 1994, this organization carries out coordination of security and foreign policy

• ASEAN Economic Community
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1. Its objective is to create a common market and production base within ASEAN states and to aid social and economic development in the region.
2. It has focused on creating a Free Trade Area (FTA) for investment, labor, and services.
3. ASEAN community it’s also interested in resolving the old economic disputes.
4. The US and China have already moved fast to negotiate FTAs with ASEAN.
5. ASEAN has sorted out 2 biggest disputes that is,

• Cambodian conflict,
• the East Timor crisis
• The Cultural Economic Strength
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1. Attractive partners for trade of India and China.
2. During the Cold War years Indian foreign policy did not pay adequate attention to ASEAN, but now it has signed trade agreements with 3 ASEAN members, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
3. The ASEAN- India FTA came into effect in 2010.

The reason for ASEAN being powerful is that they, interact and corporate with each other.