Question 92→ 2025 IAS Prelims GS I : Genius Classroom Explanation
📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.92 | Classroom Explanation
(International Relations | Regional Groupings — BIMSTEC)
📌 Question
Q.92)
Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:
I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of ‘tourism’ is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II
(b) II and III
(c) I and IV
(d) I only
✅ Correct Answer: (d) I only
🧑🏫 Classroom Explanation
This is a classic UPSC IR question testing:
- origin facts
- founding members
- sectoral leadership (updated current affairs trap)
Let us dismantle it statement by statement.
🔹 Statement I
“BIMSTEC has seven member States till January 2025.” ✅
📌 Members of BIMSTEC (7):
- Bangladesh
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Bhutan
🧠 Prelims Tip
BIMSTEC = Bay of Bengal rim + Himalayan outreach
➡️ Statement I is correct
🔹 Statement II
“BIMSTEC came into existence with the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.” ❌
📜 Correct Fact
- BIMSTEC was established on 6 June 1997
- Founding document: Bangkok Declaration
📌 Dhaka Declaration is associated with SAARC, not BIMSTEC.
➡️ Statement II is incorrect
🔹 Statement III
“Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding members.” ❌
📜 Founding Members (1997):
- Bangladesh
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
⚠️ Nepal joined later in February 2004, along with Bhutan.
➡️ Statement III is incorrect
🔹 Statement IV
“Tourism subsector in BIMSTEC is led by India.” ❌
📌 Updated BIMSTEC Sectoral Leadership (Post-2021 Rationalisation)
- Nepal → Lead country for People-to-People Contact
- Sub-sectors include Tourism, Culture, Think Tanks, Media
- India → Leads:
- Security
- Energy
- Disaster Management
- Counter-Terrorism
🧠 UPSC Trap
Many aspirants still remember old sectoral allocations — this statement tests latest update.
➡️ Statement IV is incorrect
🧠 Final Verdict
Only Statement I survives constitutional + current affairs scrutiny.
✔️ Correct Answer: (d) I only
🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)
“BIMSTEC was born in Bangkok (1997), has 7 members, and tourism walks with Nepal.”
📍 GS Mapping
India’s Neighbourhood Policy
GS Paper II mains
International Relations
Regional Groupings