Which international organisation listed below took on the responsibility of raising about 2 billion US dollars to build a rail link from China to Singapore, connecting eight nations in the broader region?

Introduction / Context:
Regional organisations often support large infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity, trade, and economic integration among member states. A proposed rail link from China to Singapore, passing through and connecting several countries in between, is an example of such an initiative. It requires significant funding and coordination across multiple governments. This question asks you which organisation undertook the responsibility of raising approximately 2 billion US dollars for this ambitious rail link.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The project is a rail link stretching from China to Singapore.
• It is intended to connect eight nations.
• About 2 billion US dollars needs to be raised.
• Options include ASEAN, SAARC, EU, and NATO.
• We assume a focus on Asian regional connectivity.

Concept / Approach:
China and Singapore, along with several countries in between, lie in the broader Southeast Asian region. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is the key regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and infrastructure cooperation among Southeast Asian countries. SAARC focuses on South Asia, the European Union concentrates on Europe, and NATO is a military alliance not primarily focused on infrastructure corridors in Asia. Therefore, the organisation most logically associated with raising funds for a China Singapore rail link connecting eight nations is ASEAN.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the geography of the proposed rail link, which runs from China in East Asia to Singapore in Southeast Asia. Step 2: Recognise that this route passes through several Southeast Asian countries, an area where ASEAN is the main regional organisation. Step 3: Compare this with the scope of SAARC, which is limited to South Asian nations like India, Pakistan, and their neighbours. Step 4: Note that the European Union and NATO are European or trans Atlantic organisations and have no direct mandate to raise funds for an Asian rail corridor of this type. Step 5: Conclude that ASEAN is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification comes from recalling news about connectivity projects like the Singapore Kunming Rail Link, often shortened as SKRL, which is frequently discussed within ASEAN frameworks. ASEAN meetings and documents refer to regional infrastructure initiatives and cooperation on transportation corridors. There is no similar association of such a project with SAARC, EU, or NATO, which confirms that ASEAN is the organisation referred to in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
SAARC is focused on South Asian cooperation and does not cover the China to Singapore route, which lies mostly outside its membership. The European Union deals with integration in Europe and is not a sponsor of a China Singapore rail project. NATO is a security and defence alliance and is not known for raising funds for civil rail links in Asia. Therefore, none of these options matches the description of the regional body leading a China Singapore rail connectivity funding effort.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may get confused by the presence of multiple regional acronyms and choose SAARC simply because they recognise it from South Asian contexts. Another pitfall is to overlook the geographic focus of each organisation. Keeping in mind that ASEAN is the main grouping for Southeast Asia, including countries around Singapore, helps correctly link it to infrastructure projects in that region.

Final Answer:
The organisation that took responsibility to raise about 2 billion US dollars for the China Singapore rail link is ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).