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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 Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The Mekong Ganga Cooperation is a multilateral initiative of 5 ASEAN countries along with India, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1] This means the six member countries are India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
From the options given, we need to identify which countries are NOT participants. Bangladesh is not mentioned among the member countries, so it is not a participant. Similarly, China is not listed as a member. However, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand are explicitly mentioned as participants.[1]
Therefore, among the countries listed in the question, Bangladesh (option 1) and China (option 3) are NOT participants in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, while Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand are participants. This makes option C (1 and 3) the correct answer.
SourcesPROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Membership Trap' question. The name 'Mekong-Ganga' is designed to mislead you: 'Ganga' suggests Bangladesh (Padma) and 'Mekong' suggests China (Lancang). Both are geographically valid but politically excluded. This tests your specific knowledge of the grouping's mandate (India + ASEAN 5) rather than just geographic common sense.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is Bangladesh a participant in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative of six countries?
- Statement 2: Is Cambodia a participant in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative of six countries?
- Statement 3: Is China a participant in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative of six countries?
- Statement 4: Is Myanmar a participant in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative of six countries?
- Statement 5: Is Thailand a participant in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative of six countries?
- Explicitly defines the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation as a multilateral initiative of 5 ASEAN countries plus India (six countries).
- Lists the five ASEAN members (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam), which does not include Bangladesh, implying Bangladesh is not a member.
- Presents a multiple-choice question about the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (an initiative of six countries) asking which listed countries are not participants, with Bangladesh included among the 'not a participant' options.
- This supports the interpretation that Bangladesh is not considered a participant in the six-country grouping.
Notes that Bangladesh is included in India's Act East/Look East efforts to link South Asia with Southeast Asia, implying Bangladesh is considered a connector in sub‑regional initiatives.
A student could use a regional map and lists of sub‑regional groupings to see if Bangladesh is commonly included among initiatives bridging South and Southeast Asia (like Mekong–Ganga) and then check the MGC membership list.
Describes the Kolkata–Kunming corridor route crossing Bangladesh, showing Bangladesh's geographic and policy role in sub‑regional connectivity projects between South and Southeast Asia.
One could infer Bangladesh's participation tendency in connectivity initiatives and then verify if such tendencies extend to membership of Mekong–Ganga Cooperation by comparing corridor participants with MGC members.
Discusses an international canal project where a feeder canal portion lies in Bangladesh, illustrating Bangladesh's involvement in multilateral river/cooperation agreements related to Ganga/Brahmaputra systems.
A student could combine this pattern (Bangladesh participates in river/cooperation projects tied to the Ganga) with knowledge that the MGC links Ganga and Mekong basins to judge whether Bangladesh’s river‑link role makes it a plausible MGC participant, then check membership.
Lists examples of regional cooperation (e.g., SAFTA, river‑water sharing) showing South Asian states commonly enter multilateral cooperative frameworks.
Use this pattern—South Asian states frequently join regional initiatives—to motivate checking whether Bangladesh has joined the specific six‑country Mekong–Ganga Cooperation grouping.
- This passage explicitly lists the member countries of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, naming Cambodia among them.
- It states the initiative is India plus five ASEAN countries (total six), directly confirming Cambodia as a participant.
- This exam-style passage frames the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation as "an initiative of six countries," listing Cambodia among the countries considered in membership questions.
- Including Cambodia in the options implies Cambodia is relevant to the six-country composition under discussion.
This snippet gives a clear example of how some regional initiatives distinguish 'Member countries' from 'Outreach countries' and lists Cambodia explicitly as an 'Outreach country'.
A student could use the pattern (member vs outreach lists) to check an authoritative Mekong–Ganga participant list and see whether Cambodia is a full member or only an outreach partner.
Identifies Cambodia as part of the Indo‑Burma geographic region, linking it geographically to Mekong‑area initiatives.
A student could combine this geographic fact with knowledge that Mekong‑Ganga Cooperation involves Mekong basin countries to assess the plausibility of Cambodia's involvement.
Lists Cambodia among regional 'Tiger Range Countries,' showing it participates in regionally focused multilateral conservation frameworks.
A student could generalize that Cambodia often appears in Southeast Asian cooperative frameworks and thus should check whether it is a full member or an outreach partner in Mekong‑Ganga Cooperation.
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- Explicitly names the participating countries as India plus five ASEAN states (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam).
- By listing those six members, the passage omits China from the initiative's membership.
- States the MGC was established with six member countries and then lists them explicitly.
- The listed six members (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and India) do not include China, indicating China is not a participant.
Shows China initiates and joins regional multi-country connectivity projects (e.g., BCIM corridor linking Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar).
A student could use this pattern to check whether China also joins other regional river/corridor initiatives like Mekong–Ganga by comparing membership lists of such initiatives.
Describes Chinese advocacy for multi-country institutional tie-ups in the India–Myanmar–Bangladesh–China area to address non-traditional security and connectivity.
Use this tendency as a clue to look up whether China participates in Mekong–Ganga groupings that involve South and Southeast Asian connectivity.
Notes China's role in broader East Asian regional arrangements (e.g., ASEAN+1 FTAs and RCEP), indicating China commonly participates in multilateral regional frameworks.
Apply this general rule (China often joins regional multilateral forums) to suspect its presence or absence in Mekong–Ganga, and then verify membership lists.
States China is a key external player in South Asian politics and that Sino–Indian relations have complex multilateral dimensions.
Treat China as an influential external actor whose involvement in South/Southeast Asian initiatives is plausible—check Mekong–Ganga participants accordingly.
Mentions Chinese projects affecting transboundary rivers (dams on the Brahmaputra), showing China engages directly in river-basin issues in the region.
Given China’s river-basin involvement, a student might examine whether river-focused cooperation like Mekong–Ganga includes or excludes China based on riparian geography and political alignment.
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- Explicitly lists the six members of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, naming Myanmar among them.
- States the initiative comprises India plus five ASEAN countries, confirming Myanmar's participation.
- References India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral connectivity projects in the context of Mekong-Ganga Cooperation.
- Implicates Myanmar as an active participant in cooperation and connectivity initiatives under MGC.
Says India’s Act East policy wants to link up with Southeast Asia via Myanmar, showing Myanmar is treated as a bridge between India and Southeast Asian cooperative initiatives.
A student could use this rule (Myanmar as India's link to SE Asia) plus a map of Mekong-region countries to judge whether Myanmar would naturally be included in an India–Mekong multilateral initiative.
Describes multilateral projects (Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar) and regional institutional tie-ups involving Myanmar, indicating Myanmar’s participation in subregional cooperative groupings.
One could extend this pattern (Myanmar often included in regional institutional projects) to hypothesize its inclusion in similarly named Mekong–Ganga cooperation and then verify membership lists.
Notes India is negotiating bilateral protocols with Myanmar (e.g., on conservation), showing Myanmar is a recognized partner in India’s regional cooperation efforts.
From this, a student could infer that multilateral India-led initiatives often include Myanmar and so should check multilateral membership records for Mekong–Ganga cooperation.
Discusses Bangladesh–Myanmar interactions and regional issues (migration), illustrating Myanmar’s active role in South and Southeast Asian regional affairs.
A student could combine this with knowledge of which countries sit in the Mekong basin to see whether Myanmar’s regional role makes it a plausible Mekong–Ganga partner.
Lists ASEAN’s external economic partners and the practice of grouping countries for regional agreements, showing a pattern of multilateral groupings in the region that sometimes include India.
Using this pattern of ASEAN+1 and India’s inclusion in groupings, a student could look for similarly structured groupings (like Mekong–Ganga) and then check which Mekong countries are paired with India.
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- Explicitly lists the member countries of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and includes Thailand in the list.
- States the initiative is India plus five ASEAN countries, naming Thailand among them, directly supporting Thailand's participation.
- Refers to the 12th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation meeting being held in Bangkok, indicating Thailand's role as host and participant.
- Mentions Indian external affairs engagement in Bangkok for the MGC, showing Thailand's active involvement in MGC events.
Defines the Indo‑Burma region and explicitly lists Thailand among countries that span the Mekong/Indo‑Burma area.
A student could use a map of the Mekong basin to note Thailand's geographic membership in the Mekong subregion, making it a plausible participant in Mekong‑focused initiatives.
Describes India’s 'Act East' policy emphasising cooperation with ASEAN and the Asia‑Pacific through continuous regional engagement.
One can infer India’s willingness to create/engage in India+Mekong multilateral mechanisms and then check whether Thailand, an ASEAN member, is included in such India‑led Mekong initiatives.
Notes Thailand in the context of ASEAN and mentions the ASEAN‑India FTA, showing institutional links between India and ASEAN states including Thailand.
Given ASEAN‑India linkages, a student could reasonably suspect Thailand participates in India‑Mekong cooperative forums and then verify membership lists of the Mekong‑Ganga Cooperation.
Lists a multilateral 'Mission' whose member countries include India, Thailand and Vietnam, indicating Thailand’s participation in India‑centred regional cooperative efforts.
Use this pattern (Thailand joining India‑led regional groups) as a basis to check whether Thailand is also part of the specific six‑country Mekong‑Ganga Cooperation.
Describes the East Asia Summit as a regional forum of multiple Asia‑Pacific countries (including India) for strategic dialogue and cooperation.
Shows the precedent of multilateral regional platforms linking India with East/Southeast Asian states; a student could therefore look for similar India‑Mekong groupings and test Thailand’s membership.
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- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for prepared candidates / Trap for guessers. Source: Standard IR Yearbooks or Ministry of External Affairs website.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Sub-regionalism in India's Foreign Policy (Act East Policy).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'CLMV' block (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) + Thailand. Contrast MGC with BIMSTEC (which includes Bangladesh) and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (which includes China but excludes India).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not rely on river geography alone. Groupings are political, not just topographical. Always ask: 'Which major power is this grouping trying to balance?' (MGC balances China; hence China is out).
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Reference [3] states Bangladesh is a part of India's Look East (Act East) policy to link with Southeast Asia via Myanmar, which is conceptually close to sub-regional initiatives like Mekong–Ganga cooperation.
High-yield for UPSC because Act East is central to India's foreign policy and regional connectivity questions; it links geopolitics, trade, and regional groupings (ASEAN, BIMSTEC, sub-regional projects). Master by mapping policy aims, key partner countries, and how connectivity projects advance strategic objectives; expect questions on objectives, actors, and outcomes.
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia > India and its Other Neighbours > p. 39
Reference [10] discusses the Kolkata–Kunming corridor route crossing Bangladesh (Sylhet and Dhaka), illustrating Bangladesh's role in overland connectivity between South and Southeast Asia.
Relevant for UPSC on transport geography, regional infrastructure and strategic corridors; connects to trade, security and international relations. Learn major corridors, routes, and countries involved; useful for questions on regional integration and infrastructure diplomacy.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Kolkata-Kunming Corridor-A Proposed Highway > p. 81
References [1], [2], and [5] document formal water-sharing agreements and canal proposals involving the Ganga/Padma and Bangladesh, highlighting river cooperation as a dimension of bilateral/regional ties.
Important for UPSC topics on international river basins, water diplomacy and environmental security; connects to resource disputes, treaties, and regional cooperation frameworks. Prepare by studying major river treaties, shared-river challenges, and negotiation outcomes; expect case-based questions on water management and diplomacy.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > The Indus Water Treaty > p. 39
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 3: The Drainage System of India > 2. The Brahmaputra-Ganga Link Canal > p. 43
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia > Peace and Cooperation > p. 44
Reference [2] explicitly distinguishes 'Member countries' from 'Outreach countries' and lists Cambodia as an outreach country, highlighting different participation categories in multilateral initiatives.
UPSC often asks which countries are full members versus observers/outreach partners of regional mechanisms; mastering this distinction helps answer questions on memberships in forums (e.g., ASEAN-related, environmental missions). Study official lists and note categories (member, observer, outreach) rather than assuming all named countries are full participants.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystem > Mission > p. 49
Reference [6] names the countries forming the Indo‑Burma biogeographic region and includes Cambodia, showing regional groupings relevant to cooperation frameworks.
Questions on regional geography, biodiversity corridors, and transboundary cooperation often require recall of such regional compositions; knowing Indo‑Burma membership links geography to environmental policy and diplomacy. Learn by map‑based memorization and cross‑link with environmental initiatives.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > a. lndo-Burma Region: > p. 223
Reference [8] lists Tiger Range Countries and includes Cambodia, illustrating that Cambodia participates in certain regional environmental coalitions.
Environment and biodiversity topics in UPSC frequently ask about range states, conservation summits and their memberships; familiarity with such lists aids in both static syllabus and current-affairs linked questions. Use official summit documents and consolidated lists for revision.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation, ' r > p. 231
Knowledge of India–China relations (border conflicts, diplomatic thaw, and areas of cooperation) informs whether China would join regional initiatives involving India.
High-yield for UPSC as bilateral relationship dynamics shape regional grouping participation and foreign policy choices; connects to defence, diplomacy, and regional organisations. Master by mapping timeline of conflicts and cooperation, noting how disputes affect multilateral engagement. Useful for questions on regional initiatives and strategic alignments.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > The Eastern Sector > p. 35
- Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power > India – China Relations > p. 25
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The 'Lancang-Mekong Cooperation' (LMC). This is China's rival grouping for the exact same region. The logical next question is comparing MGC vs LMC members (LMC = China + 5 ASEAN; MGC = India + 5 ASEAN).
Apply the 'Strategic Rivalry' filter. MGC is an Indian initiative. Would India invite its primary strategic competitor (China) to lead a grouping in its own backyard? No. Therefore, China (3) must be a non-participant. This immediately points you to options containing 3.
Mains GS-2 (IR): Contrast 'Hard Power' infrastructure projects (like China's BRI) with 'Soft Power' cultural initiatives. MGC focuses heavily on culture, tourism, and education (e.g., Museum of Asian Textiles), reflecting India's capacity limitations compared to China's deep pockets.
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