SAARC & ASEAN — Set 2
World Organizations · SAARC और ASEAN · Questions 11–20 of 60
Who was the primary visionary behind the idea of forming SAARC?
Correct Answer: D. Ziaur Rahman
• **Ziaur Rahman** = He was the primary visionary behind the idea of forming SAARC. • **1980** — President Ziaur Rahman first proposed a regional grouping for South Asia in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Indira Gandhi: Indian Prime Minister, but not the primary visionary for SAARC's formation; King Birendra: King of Nepal, a SAARC member, but not the primary visionary; Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, not credited as the primary SAARC visionary.
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established in 1994 to discuss which issues?
Correct Answer: D. Security and Politics
• **Security and Politics** = The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established to discuss these issues. • **1994** — The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Economic Trade: While ASEAN has economic functions, ARF specifically focuses on security; Environmental Protection: Not the primary focus of ARF; Sports and Culture: Not the primary focus of ARF.
How many stars are present on the official flag of SAARC?
Correct Answer: C. No stars
• **No stars** = The official flag of SAARC does not contain any stars. • **Seven** — The SAARC emblem, featured on its flag, consists of this many pigeons representing the original founding members. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Seven: Incorrect, the emblem has seven pigeons, but not stars on the flag; Eight: Incorrect, SAARC has eight members, but no stars on the flag; Ten: Incorrect, ASEAN has ten members, but not SAARC, and no stars on the SAARC flag.
Which country hosted the first ASEAN summit in 1976?
Correct Answer: A. Indonesia
• **Indonesia** = This country hosted the first ASEAN summit in 1976. • **1976** — The first ASEAN summit was held in this year, nearly nine years after the group's formation. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Malaysia: A founding ASEAN member, but did not host the first summit; Thailand: A founding ASEAN member, but did not host the first summit; Philippines: A founding ASEAN member, but did not host the first summit.
Which SAARC member is the only one located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere?
Correct Answer: D. None of these
• **None of these** = No SAARC member is located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. • **Equator** — The Maldives spans across this line, with some islands in the Southern Hemisphere, but not entirely. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Maldives: Spans the equator, but is not entirely in the Southern Hemisphere; Sri Lanka: Located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere; India: Located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
The 'ASEAN Way' refers to a unique diplomatic approach based on?
Correct Answer: D. Non-interference and Consensus
• **Non-interference and Consensus** = The 'ASEAN Way' is a diplomatic approach emphasizing informality, mutual respect for national sovereignty, and consensus-based decision-making. • **Consensus-based decision-making** — This approach avoids public criticism and promotes stability among diverse member nations. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Military Intervention]: This is not a characteristic of the ASEAN Way; [Legal Sanctions]: The ASEAN Way avoids such punitive measures; [Majority Voting]: Decisions are made by consensus, not majority vote.
Which agreement replaced SAPTA to create a free trade area among SAARC nations?
Correct Answer: A. SAFTA
• **SAFTA** = The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement replaced SAPTA to establish a free trade area among SAARC nations. • **2006** — This is the year SAFTA came into effect, aiming to reduce customs duties on traded goods to zero. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [ASEAN-India FTA]: This is an agreement between ASEAN and India, not primarily for SAARC nations; [GATT]: The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was a precursor to the WTO, not a SAARC agreement; [RCEP]: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is a broader trade pact involving East Asia and Oceania, not a SAARC-specific agreement.
Which nation is the only landlocked member of ASEAN?
Correct Answer: D. Laos
• **Laos** = Laos is the only landlocked member nation of ASEAN and in Southeast Asia, lacking direct access to the sea. • **Five bordering countries** — Laos shares borders with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and Myanmar. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Cambodia]: Cambodia has a coastline on the Gulf of Thailand; [Vietnam]: Vietnam has an extensive coastline along the South China Sea; [Myanmar]: Myanmar has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
The South Asian University (SAU) established by SAARC is located in which city?
Correct Answer: C. New Delhi
• **New Delhi** = The South Asian University (SAU), established by the eight SAARC member nations, is located in New Delhi, India. • **2010** — The year SAU commenced its first academic session in New Delhi. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Colombo]: Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, but SAU is not located there; [Kathmandu]: Kathmandu is where the SAARC Secretariat is located, not SAU; [Islamabad]: Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, but SAU is not located there.
The ASEAN motto is 'One Vision, One Identity, One ________'.?
Correct Answer: C. Community
• **Community** = The ASEAN motto is 'One Vision, One Identity, One Community', reflecting the goal of a unified regional identity. • **ASEAN Charter** — This motto was adopted as part of the ASEAN Charter, which formalized the organization's objectives. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Future]: While a future-oriented organization, 'Future' is not the word in the official motto; [Region]: While covering a region, 'Region' is not the word in the official motto; [Destiny]: 'Destiny' is not the term used in the official ASEAN motto.