The term 'Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership' often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as

• (a) G20: Incorrect. RCEP is not a G20 initiative; G20 is a broader forum of major economies, not the negotiating bloc for this pact.
• (b) ASEAN: Correct. RCEP was centered on ASEAN and its FTA partners; it emerged from the ASEAN-led regional trade architecture.
• (c) SCO: Incorrect. SCO is a Eurasian political-security grouping, not the framework under which RCEP was negotiated.
• (d) SAARC: Incorrect. SAARC is a South Asian regional organization and has no direct link to RCEP negotiations.

Answer: (b) ASEAN.