Chapter 4 · Topic 4.3 · Prelims + Mains3 of 3
Regional & Global Groupings: G20 and G7
Key points
- G20 New Delhi summit: 9-10 September 2023, theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
- The African Union became a permanent G20 member in 2023.
- The G20 began as a forum of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.
- India attends the G7 as an invited outreach partner.
Prelims box: facts and traps
| Grouping | Members |
|---|---|
| SAARC | 8 South Asian states |
| BIMSTEC | 7 Bay of Bengal states |
| G20 | Major economies plus EU and AU |
- Trap: all four of Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey are G20 members.
G20 and G7
The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (9-10 September 2023, theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, One Earth, One Family, One Future) states: “We welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20” (PIB text of the Declaration). The G7 is a smaller club of advanced economies. India attends as an invited outreach partner, like a guest asked to a family meeting.
In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20 ?
- Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey
- Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
- Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
- Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea
Show answer
Answer: (a) · UPSC official key
Prelims 2023: both statements are correct. The G-20 began as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, and digital public infrastructure (shared digital systems like UPI and Aadhaar) is one of India’s G-20 priorities. Answer (c).
Consider the following statements about G-20 : 1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues. 2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) · UPSC official key
| Grouping | Members | India’s use |
|---|---|---|
| SAARC | 8 South Asian states | Stalled |
| BIMSTEC | 7 Bay of Bengal states | Act East plus Neighbourhood First |
| SCO | Eurasian security grouping | Central Asia, counter-terror |
| BRICS | Major emerging economies | Global South voice, NDB |
| Quad | India, USA, Japan, Australia | Indo-Pacific |
| G20 | Major economies plus EU and AU | Global governance |
What UPSC asks: Prelims: G20 members, the AU joining in 2023. Mains: India’s DPI push and G7 outreach.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- G20: AU membership (2023), DPI as India's priority.
- G7: India as outreach partner and Global South voice.
Practice
Practice MCQs (8)
Under the BIMSTEC Charter, 'BIMSTEC Day' is observed every year on which date, the anniversary of the grouping's founding?
Answer (a) & explanation
Article 35 of the Charter fixes the sixth of June as BIMSTEC Day. It marks the signing of the Bangkok Declaration on 6 June 1997. The other dates are later milestones: Myanmar's entry (22 December 1997), the First Summit (31 July 2004) and the signing of the Charter (30 March 2022).
For the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister of India on 30 May 2019, the Government of India invited the leaders of the member States of which grouping, in line with its 'Neighbourhood First' policy?
Answer (c) & explanation
According to the MEA, India invited the leaders of the BIMSTEC member States to the swearing-in on 30 May 2019, along with the President of the Kyrgyz Republic (then SCO chair) and the Prime Minister of Mauritius. In 2014 the invitation had gone to SAARC leaders. The shift was read as India's move to work through BIMSTEC rather than a stalled SAARC.
Consider the following statements about the provisions of the BIMSTEC Charter:
1. English is the working language of BIMSTEC.
2. All decisions in BIMSTEC are to be based on consensus.
3. The Charter may be reviewed ten years after its entry into force.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
Article 21 makes English the working language, and Article 18 says all decisions shall be based on consensus. Article 28 allows a review six years after entry into force, or as the Summit decides, so statement 3 is wrong.
Match List-I (BRICS Summit) with List-II (Associated development): List-I A. Yekaterinburg, 2009 B. Durban, 2013 C. Fortaleza, 2014 D. Goa, 2016 List-II
1. Outreach dialogue with the leaders of BIMSTEC member States
2. Signing of the Agreement on the New Development Bank and the Treaty on the Contingent Reserve Arrangement
3. First summit-level meeting of the grouping
4. Decision to establish the NDB and the CRA, and announcement of the BRICS Business Council and Think Tanks Council
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer (c) & explanation
Yekaterinburg (2009) was the first BRIC summit. At Durban (2013) leaders decided to set up the NDB and the CRA and announced the BRICS Business Council and Think Tanks Council. At Fortaleza (2014) the NDB Agreement and the CRA Treaty were actually signed. At Goa (2016) India held an outreach with BIMSTEC leaders. Hence A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1.
Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of BRIC:
1. The leaders of Russia, India and China met in St. Petersburg in 2006 on the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit.
2. The grouping was formalised at the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers, held on the margins of the UN General Assembly in 2006.
3. The first BRIC Summit was held in Brasilia in 2009.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct and come straight from MEA's brief: the RIC leaders met at St. Petersburg in 2006, and BRIC was formalised at the first BRIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York, on the margins of the UNGA, in September 2006. Statement 3 is wrong: the first BRIC Summit was held at Yekaterinburg, Russia, on 16 June 2009. Brasilia hosted the second summit on 16 April 2010. Hence 1 and 2 only.
With reference to BIMSTEC's external partnerships, consider the following statements:
1. BIMSTEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Ocean Rim Association on the occasion of its Sixth Summit.
2. BIMSTEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the occasion of its Sixth Summit.
3. BIMSTEC's partnership with the Asian Development Bank began only after the BIMSTEC Charter came into force in 2024.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (a) & explanation
On the occasion of the Sixth Summit (Bangkok, 4 April 2025), BIMSTEC signed MoUs with IORA (trade, maritime security, blue economy, fisheries and more) and with UNODC (transnational organised crime, drug trafficking and terrorism). The ADB partnership is much older: it began in 2005 with the BIMSTEC Transport Infrastructure and Logistics Study, and an MoU followed in February 2022. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility had not begun functioning as of 2026, even though its Memorandum of Association entered into force in March 2025. Statement-II: Under the BIMSTEC Charter, a BIMSTEC Centre is set up through a specific Memorandum of Association among the Member States together with a headquarters agreement with the host country.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer (a) & explanation
Article 15 of the Charter says centres are established through specific MoAs among Member States and Headquarters Agreements with host countries. For the Technology Transfer Facility, the MoA (signed 2022) entered into force on 28 March 2025, but the Secretariat lists its operationalisation as pending the host country agreement with Sri Lanka, planned for 2026. The second step explains the delay, so Statement-II explains Statement-I.
With reference to the Secretary General of BIMSTEC under the Charter, consider the following statements:
1. The Secretary General is appointed by the BIMSTEC Summit on the recommendation of the Ministerial Meeting.
2. The term of office is three years and is non-renewable.
3. The post is filled on nomination by a Member State according to alphabetical rotation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer (b) & explanation
Article 14 of the Charter says the Secretary General is appointed by the Ministerial Meeting, on the recommendation of the Senior Officials' Meeting, so statement 1 is wrong. The term is three years, non-renewable, and the nominee comes from a Member State in alphabetical rotation. The Secretary General holds ambassadorial rank and heads the Secretariat in Dhaka.
0 / 0 correct
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Regional & Global Groupings with one recent example.
Flashcards (2)
AU joined G20 when?
New Delhi summit, 2023.
G20 began as?
Finance ministers' forum.
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