UPSC Prelims 2001 Q22: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Mekong Ganga Cooperation Project is
- (a) an irrigation project involving India and Myanmar
- (b) a joint tourism initiative of some Asian countries
- (c) a hydroelectric power project involving India, Bangladesh and Myanmar
- (d) a defence and security agreement of India with its eastern neighbours
Answer: (b) a joint tourism initiative of some Asian countries
Explanation
What the Mekong Ganga Cooperation is
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | 10 November 2000, Vientiane (Laos) |
| Members | India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam |
| First areas of cooperation | Tourism, culture, education, and transport and communication |
| Name | From the two great rivers, the Mekong and the Ganga |
The Mekong Ganga Cooperation was launched in 2000 by India and five Mekong countries. Its first focus was tourism along with culture, education and transport, so the key describes it as a joint tourism initiative of some Asian countries. It was not a dam, irrigation or defence pact.
Answer: (b) a joint tourism initiative of some Asian countries.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. It is not an irrigation project and involves six countries, not two.
- (b) CORRECT. Tourism was a core area of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation.
- (c) Incorrect. It is not a hydroelectric project; Bangladesh is not a member.
- (d) Incorrect. It is not a defence or security agreement.
Key point
MGC: 6 members, Vientiane 2000; India's Look East (now Act East) policy.
Remember
Mekong Ganga Cooperation (2000) = tourism, culture, education, transport.
Common mistakes
- Taking 'Ganga' and 'Mekong' to mean a river or water project.
- Adding Bangladesh, which is not a member.
- Thinking it is a security grouping.
Exam tip
Rivers in a grouping's name usually stand for civilisational links, not dams.
Sources
- Ministry of External Affairs — Mekong Ganga Cooperation (official brief)
- Vientiane Declaration on Mekong Ganga Cooperation, 10 November 2000