The 35th ASEAN was concluded and progress has been made on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP for short. India decided not to join the free trade bloc as protectionism prevailed in one to the world’s most populous nations. The opening statement of the Chairman read “We, the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States, gathered in Bangkok for the 35th ASEAN Summit on 2-3 November 2019.