UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I
Question 77: International Relations and Current Affairs
The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is a proposed free trade agreement negotiated by the ten ASEAN members with six partners with which ASEAN has free trade agreements: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. Negotiations began in 2012 under ASEAN's lead. The G20, the SCO and SAARC are different groupings with other agendas.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) The G20 is a forum of major economies and does not run RCEP.
- (b) Right: RCEP is an ASEAN-centred trade negotiation.
- (c) The SCO is a security and cooperation grouping.
- (d) SAARC has its own trade arrangement, SAFTA, and not RCEP.
Worth knowing: RCEP was signed in November 2020 and came into force in 2022 without India, which withdrew from the negotiations in 2019.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.