UPSC Prelims 2015 Q64: Current Affairs – International Relations & Treaties
In the Mekong - Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following
is/are not a participant/participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2, 3 and 4
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 1, 2 and 5
Answer: (c) 1 and 3
Explanation
Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
Launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Laos.
It links India with five countries of the Mekong basin.
| Country in the question | Participant? |
|---|---|
| 1. Bangladesh | No |
| 2. Cambodia | Yes |
| 3. China | No |
| 4. Myanmar | Yes |
| 5. Thailand | Yes |
The six members:
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| South Asia | India |
| South-East Asia | Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam |
Areas of cooperation: tourism, culture, education, and transport and communications.
The question asks who is not a participant.
Answer: (c) 1 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. China is also not a participant, besides Bangladesh.
- (b) Incorrect. Cambodia and Myanmar are participants.
- (c) CORRECT. Bangladesh and China are not participants in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.
- (d) Incorrect. Cambodia and Thailand are participants.
Key point
Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (2000, Vientiane): India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. No China, no Bangladesh.
Remember
MGC: six members, no China, no Bangladesh.
Common mistakes
- Adding China because the Mekong rises there.
- Adding Bangladesh because the Ganga flows through it.
- Missing the word 'not' in the question.
Exam tip
MGC = India + five ASEAN countries on the Mekong. China is kept out by design.
Sources
- Ministry of External Affairs — Mekong-Ganga Cooperation brief
- Ministry of External Affairs — Vientiane Declaration on Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (2000)