International Relations : Regional Organisations

Q 5 / 25

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025

Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC :

  1. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
  2. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
  3. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
  4. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (D)

Statement I is correct.

  • BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional organization comprising seven member States: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. This composition has remained consistent till January 2025.

Incorrect Options

  • Statement II is incorrect. BIMSTEC was established on 6 June 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration, not the Dhaka Declaration of 1999.
  • Statement III is incorrect. The founding members of BIMSTEC (initially BIST-EC) in 1997 were Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Myanmar joined in December 1997, while Bhutan and Nepal joined in 2004. Therefore, Nepal was not a founding member.
  • Statement IV is incorrect. Following the reorganisation of BIMSTEC sectors in 2021, Nepal is designated as the lead country for the 'Tourism' subsector, which falls under 'People-to-People Contact'. India leads the 'Security' sector, not 'Tourism'.
SOURCEInternational Relations by Pavneet Singh, Chapter: Regional Groupings