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The Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO), an alliance of nations to provide defense and economic cooperation in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific area, is formed. The alliance intends to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. The founding members of SEATO are Australia, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States.
Delegates from 29 nations attend the Bandung (Indonesia) Afro-Asian Conference, which is dominated by Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and Sukarno of Indonesia. The aim of the conference is to promote economic and cultural cooperation amoung the Asian nations. Dissatisfaction is also raised against what is seen as the reluctance of Western powers to consult them on decisions affecting Asia.
As the threat of the spread of communism in Southeast Asia winds down, SEATO ceases to play an important role. By mutual consent, the alliance disbands in 1977.
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