UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2025

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?

  1. I and II
  2. II and III
  3. I and IV
  4. I only

Answer

Correct Answer

I only

Explanation

BIMSTEC does have seven member states currently, making Statement I correct. However, it was established via the Bangkok Declaration (1997), not the Dhaka Declaration (Statement II incorrect); the founding members were Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand (Nepal joined later in 2004, so Statement III is incorrect as it wrongly includes Nepal among the original founders); and the tourism sub-sector in BIMSTEC is led by Thailand, not India (Statement IV incorrect). Hence only Statement I is correct.

Topics: bimstec, international relations