Which of the following countries is NOT a member of BIMSTEC?
Maldives
Understanding BIMSTEC Membership
The question asks to identify the country that is NOT a member of BIMSTEC. BIMSTEC stands for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. It is a regional international organisation comprising seven member states lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity.
What is BIMSTEC?
BIMSTEC is a sub-regional organisation established in 1997. Its main objective is to promote technical and economic cooperation among countries around the Bay of Bengal. It covers various sectors including trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, and fisheries.
BIMSTEC Member Countries
There are seven member states in BIMSTEC. These countries are located in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The seven BIMSTEC member countries are:
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- India
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
Analysing the Options
Now let's look at the options provided and compare them with the list of BIMSTEC member countries:
| Option | Is it a BIMSTEC Member? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives | No | Maldives is a South Asian country, but it is not among the seven listed BIMSTEC members. |
| India | Yes | India is one of the founding members of BIMSTEC. |
| Bhutan | Yes | Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia and a member of BIMSTEC. |
| Nepal | Yes | Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia and a member of BIMSTEC. |
Based on the analysis, Maldives is the only country among the options that is NOT a member of BIMSTEC.
Conclusion on BIMSTEC Membership
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) includes seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The question asks which country among the options is not a member. Comparing the options to the list of members, we find that Maldives is not on the list.
Revision Table: BIMSTEC Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation |
| Established | June 6, 1997 (Bangkok Declaration) |
| Headquarters | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Member States | 7 (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand) |
| Main Objective | Technical and economic cooperation among countries around the Bay of Bengal |
Additional Information on Regional Groupings
It is helpful to understand other regional groupings in which the countries mentioned in the options participate. For example:
- SAARC: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Maldives is a member of SAARC.
- ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Myanmar and Thailand are members of both BIMSTEC and ASEAN.
Understanding these different regional bodies helps in distinguishing their memberships.
Important Questions from World Organisations and Headquarters
Which one of the following countries is NOT a member of the BASIC grouping?
SAARC comprises how many Member States?
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Where is the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) situated?
