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This area is very important from political and geographical points of view because of its strategic situation on the sea-route which joins Indian ocean to Pacific ocean and joins Australia and Asia by a natural bridge.

South East Asia is called the rice bowl of Asia.

The President of ‘ASEAN’ is elected for 2 years.

10 countries are the members of ASEAN.

The headquarters of ASEAN located in Jakarta (Indonesia).

23 countries of the world are the members of ASEAN Regional Forum.

In 1985 the agreement on SAARC’s charter made.

(d) Kothmandu

Afghanistan is the 8th member of SAARC.

(b) General Secretary

The function and governing principles of ASEAN:

1. Its functional area is continuously increasing. It is active in political, economic, social, technical and administrative areas. 

2. The member countries of ASEAN try to solve their mutual problems on regional basis. 

3. In 1969, to increase communication system and cultural activities, ASEAN countries made a contract in which exchange of television and radio programmes was decided. 

4. In field of tourism, a group organization named ‘ASEANTA’ was founded which emphasizes mutual tourism in these countries without VISA.

5. Solid steps were taken to educate farmers by modem techniques.

The organization of ASEAN can be clarified through following points : 

1. The foundation of ASEAN was done on August 8, 1967 by five countries with the aim of regional cooperation in the form of a non-military group.

2. In beginning, Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillippines Singapore and Thailand were its members. In 1984, Brunei also became its member. 

3. On July24,1996, India became its full dialogue partner. China and Russia also joined it in the same capacity. 

4. Its headquarters is in Jakarta and its head is its secretary general. 

5. Upto now, the associated institution of ASEAN, Asian Regional Forum (ARF) has 23 members including USA, Russia, India, China, Japan, etc.

ASEAN founded on August 8, 1967.

(a) South Asian Free Trade Area

South Asian Free Trade Area.

 SAARC headquarter is located at Kathmandu.

In 1985 SAARC founded.

Association of South East Asian Nations.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

In 1984 Brunei become ASEAN’s member.

ASEAN’s organization and structure : 

Its full name is, Association of South-East Asian Nations. This organization was founded on August 8, 1967, with the aim of regional cooperation in the form of a non-military group. In the beginning, there were five countries in it: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Organization of ASEAN : 

Among the member nations of ASEAN- Myanmar, Brunei, Thailand Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Kampuchea, India, Vietnam and Phillippines are included. In the beginning, India was considered a partial collaborator. On July 24, 1996 India became the dialogue partner. China and Russia also joined the organisation in the same capacity. Its headquarter is in Jakarta (Indonesia), and its head is its Secretary General. Secretary general is elected for two years. As the helping institution to ASEAN, ARF has 23 members including America, Russia, India, China, Japan, etc.

Nature and aims of ASEAN : 

Some challenges of ASEAN member countries are similar and to face these challenges, this organization came into being. Before these countries, increasing population, poverty, economic exploitation, insecurity etc. Eire similar challenges, whose solution is possible through mutual regional cooperation. The main aim of the formation of ASEAN is to give impetus to economic development in south east Asia. Cooperation in political, social, economic, cultural, commercial, scientific, technical and administrative fields and finding solutions to common problems of member countries is the real aim of this organization. The main objective of this organization is to create a common market and to develop mutual trade.

Functions and Role of ASEAN : 

Its functional area is continuously on rise. It is active in political, economic, social, technical and in administrative fields. Its member countries are trying to solve their mutual problems on regional basis. In 1969, to increase their communication and cultural activities, these countries signed an agreement in which it was decided to exchange radio and television programmes among all member countries. In tourism field, an organization named ASEANTA was founded which emphasizes mutual tourism without Visa. In ASEAN, solid steps are taken to give priority to agriculture and production and to give technical education to farmers. Thus, in these countries efforts are being made to establish free trade area so that import and export may be made easier with one another.

ASEAN’s Conferences : 

The first ASEAN summit was held in Bali (Indonesia) in 1976, and its 28th and 29th conference was held in Vientaine (Laos) on 6-7 September, 2016.

ASEAN Contribution/Importance : 

It is found after analysing all activities, and achievements of ASEAN, that this organization could not give pace to economic and other types of cooperation. There is lack of necessary capital. International disputes also arose several times due to the clash of interests of member countries. It is felt that inclination of ASEAN countries is more towards western countries. In spite of all these criticism, ASEAN has remained a non-military organization, ASEAN membership is open to all the nations of South East Asia who believe its aims, principle and intention. The efforts to make ASEAN a free trade zone is an important step in direction of regional cooperation. ASEAN’s importance can be evaluated that 23 important countries including USA, Russia, Japan, Chinta and India are the members of its ASEAN regional forum.

In South Asia, taking historical steps in the direction of regional cooperation, in 1985, SAARC was founded. It was founded in Dhaka and its secretariat is in Kathmandu.

Basically, in beginning there were seven member countries of SAARC- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives. On April, 3,2007, Afghanistan became the 8th member country of SAARC. Thus, there are 8 member countries of SAARC. The partnership of SAARC in world population is 21%, in area it is 3%, and in global economy it is 9.12%. SAARC itself is an observer of UNO.

Its full name is South Asian Free Trade Area. It was formed in 1995, in the meeting of SAARC foreign ministers conference. In 1998 in 10th SAARC summit, it was decided to make an expert committee whose work was to formulate the background of ‘SAFTA’. And as much, in 2004, in 12th summit in Islamabad, the SAFTA agreement was signed and this agreement was implemented in January 2006.

Under this agreement, it was expected from SAARC’s member nations that they will reduce their trade tariffs by 20%, but it could not be implemented due to Pakistan’s policies. The total trade among the SAARC countries is only 1% of GDP of these countries, while it is upto 10% among ASEAN countries.

SAARC was founded for the following reasons : 

• For public welfare : 

Its chief aim is to pay attention on public welfare for which several plans are executed. 

• Elevation in living standard : 

It was founded to improve the living standard, so that the development may benefit the citizens of society and they may lead a better life. 

• For the solution of problems : 

Behind the founding of SAARC, the main reason was to solve several problems like terrorism so that peaceful atmosphere may be created for development.

In 1999 Cambodia was made a full time member of ASEAN.

In China communist ideology is found the most.

Malaysia leads in rubber production.

In 1953 Quebec conference was held.