Correct answer: (c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
Explanation
- A
1, 2, 4 and 5
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5. Australia, India and Japan are ASEAN FTA partners, but Canada is not. Including Canada keeps this code off the key.
- B
3, 4, 5 and 6
(b) 3, 4, 5 and 6. China, India and Japan are partners; the USA is not an ASEAN FTA partner in this list. This is not the key.
- C
1, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5. (c) Official key: ASEAN has FTAs with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand (ASEAN+1 agreements; later RCEP without India). Australia, China, India and Japan are therefore partners; Canada and the USA are not. That set is the stored key.
- D
2, 3, 4 and 6
(d) 2, 3, 4 and 6. Canada and the USA are not ASEAN free-trade partners in the sense of the question. This is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (c) 1, 3, 4 and 5. ASEAN’s extra-regional FTA partners include Australia, China, India and Japan (with Korea and New Zealand). Canada and the USA are not in that FTA set. Honour the stored letter (c).
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q66 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project 2. IMT Trilateral Highway 3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line Select the answer using the code given below: