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UPSC Prelims 2025Question 92International Relations

Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:
I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options

  1. (a)I and II
  2. (b)II and III
  3. (c)I and IV
  4. (d)I only
Correct answer: c
Decision rule

A grouping is dated by its founding declaration; later summit declarations reaffirm but never create, and a founding-member list must be complete to be correct.

Explanation

Correct Answer:

(c) I and IV

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Let's analyze each statement related to BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation):

Statement-wise Analysis

I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.

  • Correct
  • BIMSTEC currently comprises seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
  • This composition has been stable and continues to be so till at least January 2025.

II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.

  • Incorrect
  • BIMSTEC was established in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
  • The Dhaka Declaration was adopted later, in 2018, during the 5th BIMSTEC Summit but did not mark the organization's creation.

III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.

  • Incorrect
  • The founding members in 1997 were: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
  • Bhutan and Myanmar were also founding members but are missing in this statement.

IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India.

  • Correct
  • India currently leads the Tourism subsector under BIMSTEC’s sectoral cooperation framework.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

  • (a) I and II – Incorrect: Statement II is wrong.
  • (b) II and III – Incorrect: Both II and III are wrong.
  • (c) I and IV – Correct: Both statements are accurate.
  • (d) I only – Incorrect: Statement IV is also correct.

Relevant Supplementary Information

AspectDetails
BIMSTEC FormationEstablished in 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration by seven countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.
Member StatesBangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand.
Dhaka Declaration, 2018Summit declaration focused on enhancing cooperation but not the founding document.
Sectoral Lead by IndiaIndia leads subsectors like Tourism, Energy, and Technology under BIMSTEC framework.

Related Concepts or Facts

TermExplanation
BIMSTECRegional organization bridging South Asia and Southeast Asia for economic and technical cooperation.
Bangkok Declaration (1997)Founding charter of BIMSTEC.
Dhaka Declaration (2018)Summit declaration reaffirming and expanding BIMSTEC cooperation.
Tourism SubsectorOne of the priority areas in BIMSTEC sectoral cooperation; India’s leadership enhances regional connectivity.

Current Relevance

  • BIMSTEC is increasingly significant for regional cooperation and connectivity between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
  • India's leadership role in sectors like Tourism helps boost regional economic integration.

Table: Related Concepts and Terms – BIMSTEC

Concept / TermExplanation / Relevance
BIMSTECRegional organization comprising seven countries from South and Southeast Asia focused on economic and technical cooperation around the Bay of Bengal.
Member States of BIMSTECBangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Bangkok Declaration (1997)The founding document establishing BIMSTEC with seven member countries.
Dhaka Declaration (2018)Declaration from the 5th BIMSTEC Summit focusing on enhanced cooperation; not the founding charter.
Tourism Subsector in BIMSTECOne of the priority sectors; currently led by India to promote regional connectivity and cultural exchange.
Regional CooperationBIMSTEC promotes cooperation in trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, and more among member countries.
South Asia and Southeast Asia LinkageBIMSTEC serves as a bridge between South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and ASEAN countries.
Sectoral Lead CountriesIn BIMSTEC, member countries lead various sectors based on expertise; India leads tourism, energy, and technology.
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