UPSC Prelims 2020 Q65: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
- (a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey
- (b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
- (c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
- (d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea
Answer: (a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey
Explanation
G20 Membership: Country Grouping
| Option | All members of G20? |
|---|---|
| a) Argentina, Mexico, SA, Turkey | YES |
| b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia, NZ | NO (Malaysia is NOT G20) |
| c) Brazil, Iran, SA, Vietnam | NO (Iran, Vietnam not G20) |
| d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, S. Korea | NO (Singapore NOT G20) |
G20 members (20): US, China, Japan, Germany, UK, France, India, Italy, Brazil, Canada, S. Korea, Russia, Australia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Argentina, South Africa, EU.
Option a) All correct:
- Argentina YES
- Mexico YES
- South Africa YES
- Turkey YES
Answer: (a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. All four are confirmed G20 members.
- (b) Incorrect. Malaysia is not G20 (it's ASEAN but not G20).
- (c) Incorrect. Iran and Vietnam are not G20 members.
- (d) Incorrect. Singapore is not G20 (important economy but not member).
Key point
G20 composition: 19 countries + EU. Developed (US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, Australia) + Emerging (India, China, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Turkey, SA, Indonesia, Argentina, S. Korea). Excludes major economies like Singapore, Malaysia.
Remember
The set of countries that are ALL members of the G20 is: Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey. The other options include non-G20 members (Malaysia, Iran, Vietnam, Singapore).
Common mistakes
- Confusing G20 with regional groupings (ASEAN, BRICS). Overlaps exist but G20 is distinct.
- Assuming populous/GDP-large nations = G20. Singapore is rich but not member (too small geographically).
- Missing Russia's complex status post-2022 (suspended from Western-led initiatives but technically G20 member).
Exam tip
G20 purpose: Macroeconomic policy coordination (fiscal, monetary, trade). Covers ~90% of global GDP, 75% of trade. Summits annual; rotating presidency (India 2023, Brazil 2024).
Sources
- Group of Twenty — Communiqué of the Meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, Berlin (15–16 December 1999)
- World Bank - G20 Composition and Role