ASEAN Regional Forum

SEO Title: ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): Members, Objectives, India’s Role and Significance

Category: International Relations | ASEAN | Indo-Pacific

UPSC Notes

The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is a multilateral platform for political and security dialogue in the Indo-Pacific/Asia-Pacific region.

Key Pointers

  • Established: 1994.

  • First meeting: Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Focus:

    • Political-security dialogue

    • Confidence building

    • Preventive diplomacy

  • Current membership: 27 participants. (DFAT)

  • India is a member.

  • Decision-making is based on consensus.

  • Important areas include:

    • Maritime security

    • Disaster relief

    • Counter-terrorism

    • ICT security

    • Non-proliferation and disarmament

  • It is not a military alliance.

  • ASEAN plays the central role in the forum.

Prelims Focus: 1994 → Bangkok → 27 members → consensus → security dialogue.