UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 6
Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC :
- It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
- It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
- Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
- In BIMSTEC, the subsector of 'tourism' is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (I only)
Explanation: BIMSTEC had seven members in January 2025. It originated in 1997 under the Bangkok Declaration, not a 1999 Dhaka Declaration; Nepal was not among its original four members.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
I: True-Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
II: False-founded via the 1997 Bangkok Declaration.
III: False-founders were Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand; Nepal joined later.
IV: False-Nepal, not India, leads the tourism sector.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-includes II despite the item-wise findings.
B. Incorrect-includes II, III despite the item-wise findings; omits I which the answer requires.
C. Incorrect-includes IV despite the item-wise findings.
D. Correct-this matches the facts and the item-wise assessment above.