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Q36 (IAS/2022) International Relations & Global Affairs › International Organisations & Groupings › Intergovernmental groupings Official Key

Consider the following : 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation India is a member of which of the above ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 4 (1, 2, and 3) because India holds full membership in all three specified international entities.

  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): India is a founding member and the second-largest shareholder (after China) in this multilateral development bank, which began operations in 2016.
  • Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR): India joined this elite export control regime in June 2016 as its 35th member. This was a significant diplomatic milestone, facilitating access to high-end dual-use technology and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
  • Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): After years as an observer, India became a full permanent member of the SCO during the Astana Summit in 2017, alongside Pakistan.

Since India is a member of the AIIB, the MTCR, and the SCO, all three statements are correct, making 1, 2 and 3 the accurate choice.

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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following : 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisatio…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10

This is a classic 'Index Card' question. It rewards basic diligence rather than deep analytical skill. If you maintain a simple mental checklist of 'Member vs. Non-Member' for major global bodies mentioned in standard texts (Laxmikanth, Singhania, Spectrum), this is free marks.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is India a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BANK (AIIB) > p. 532
Presence: 5/5
“• It is a multilateral development bank set up in 2016 to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. • The idea of establishment of such bank was proposed by China to provide support and improvement in infrastructure building in the Asia-Pacific region. • Due to the discontent in the West-dominated multilateral bodies such as IMF and World \sigmaBank, many of their members are joining AIIB. • AIIB presently has a membership of 103 nations [85 members (including India) + 18 a”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly gives AIIB's membership count and parenthetically includes India as a member.
  • Presents AIIB membership as a large, multi-country grouping (numeric backing: 103 nations / 85 members including India).
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.15 Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) > p. 400
Presence: 3/5
“• Established in 2016 and headquartered in Beijing, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral financial institution founded to bring countries together to address the daunting infrastructure needs across Asia.• AIIB offers sovereign (Govt.) and non-sovereign (private) financing for sound and sustainable projects in energy and power, transportation and telecommunications, rural infrastructure and agriculture development, water supply and sanitation, environmental protection, and urban development and logistics.• According to the Articles of Agreement of AIIB, the Bank will "provide or facilitate financing to any member, or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any entity or enterprise operating in the territory of a member, as well as to international or regional agencies or entities concerned with economic development of the Asia region."• Membership in AIIB shall be open to members of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) or the Asian Development Bank (ADB).• All powers of the Bank are vested with the Board of Governors, which is the highest decision-making body under whom there is Board of Directors, while the Bank is headed by the President.”
Why this source?
  • Describes AIIB as a multilateral bank with formal membership rules.
  • States membership is open to members of IBRD or ADB, showing institutional eligibility pathways relevant to India.
Statement 2
Is India a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Foreign Relations > p. 795
Presence: 5/5
“reached out boldly to both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with the idea of gaining politically and economically. In the long term, India, fighting the threat from cross-border terrorism, was bound to gain from the Gulf monarchies' growing opposition to Islamist terrorism. India joined the Australia Group, which aims to prevent proliferation of biological and chemical weapons, and will ensure a more secure world. With this, India had become a member of three of the four nuclear export control regimes. Earlier, India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 and the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) in 2017.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
  • Provides a year of accession (2016), giving a clear timeline for membership.
  • Links MTCR membership with India's joining of other export-control arrangements, showing this was part of a policy decision.
Statement 3
Is India a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA POLICY OF INDIA > p. 612
Presence: 5/5
“India hopes that its membership in numerous regional forums including at the SCO, would bolster India's renewed linkages with the region.”
Why this source?
  • Text explicitly refers to 'India hopes that its membership ... at the SCO', directly asserting India has membership.
  • Frames SCO as one of the regional forums through which India seeks to bolster linkages with the region.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA POLICY OF INDIA > p. 611
Presence: 4/5
“India will step up multilateral engagement with Central Asian partners using the synergy of joint efforts through existing fora like the SCO, Eurasian Economic Community (EEC) and the Custom Union.”
Why this source?
  • Lists the SCO among 'existing fora' for India to step up multilateral engagement with Central Asian partners, implying active participation.
  • Connects SCO to India's Central Asia policy, showing functional use of the organisation by India.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently tests the 'India's Status' variable. They mix Economic bodies (AIIB) with Security regimes (MTCR) to check if your preparation is holistic. The pattern is binary: You either know the membership status, or you don't.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from standard static books (Laxmikanth Ch. 88 for SCO, Singhania Ch. 18 for AIIB, Spectrum Ch. 39 for MTCR).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: International Institutions & India's Strategic Footprint. Specifically, the 'Club Membership' theme.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Export Control Regimes' quartet: MTCR (Yes), Wassenaar Arrangement (Yes), Australia Group (Yes), NSG (No - blocked by China). Contrast Financial bodies: NDB (Yes, equal voting), AIIB (Yes, vote by share), ADB (Yes, Japan-led). Regional: APEC (No), RCEP (No - exited), IPEF (Yes).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Don't just read news about summits. Create a binary table for 20 major organizations: Columns = [Is India a Member? | HQ Location | Primary Purpose]. If India is NOT a member (e.g., NSG, APEC), know the specific reason why.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 AIIB membership scope & country inclusion
💡 The insight

AIIB is a broad multilateral bank with 100+ member nations and explicitly includes India as one of its members.

High-yield for polity/economy questions on international financial institutions: knowing membership breadth helps answer queries about geopolitical alignments, voting influence, and India’s role in regional MDBs. Connects to questions comparing MDB memberships and to statements asking whether specific countries (like India) participate.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BANK (AIIB) > p. 532
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.15 Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) > p. 400
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 AIIB as a project financier (sovereign and non-sovereign finance)
💡 The insight

AIIB provides sovereign and non-sovereign financing and has committed funds linked to Indian infrastructure initiatives.

Important for UPSC topics on infrastructure financing and international cooperation: understanding AIIB’s financing modes clarifies how India accesses multilateral funds and how MDBs support national projects. Useful for questions on sources of infrastructure finance and MDB project partnerships.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > 13.15 Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) > p. 400
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 15: Infrastructure > National Investment and Infrastructure Fund > p. 442
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 MTCR membership and timeline
💡 The insight

Identifies that India became a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016.

High-yield for UPSC because questions ask about India's participation in export-control regimes and related timelines. Connects to foreign policy shifts, defence diplomacy, and non-proliferation policy; enables answers on how and when India integrated into global arms-control frameworks.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Foreign Relations > p. 795
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Export-control regimes versus multilateral non-proliferation treaties
💡 The insight

Contrasts India's joining export-control regimes with its oppositional stance on treaties like the NPT and CTBT.

Important for explaining India's nuanced policy: cooperative engagement with export-control regimes while rejecting perceived discriminatory treaties. This informs questions on India's strategic autonomy, sanctions, and international negotiations; links to topics in international relations and defence policy.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Foreign Relations > p. 795
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > II I Disarmament > p. 610
  • Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Indi External Relations > Fast Forward India's Nuclear Programme > p. 69
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 India's missile and space programmes (indigenisation & leadership)
💡 The insight

Covers India's development and indigenisation of missile and space technology, including missile induction and key scientific leaders.

Useful for UPSC answers connecting domestic technological capability to foreign policy choices (e.g., joining MTCR). Links to chapters on defence modernisation, ISRO/DRDO achievements, and the role of scientific leadership in strategic programmes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika Acts > p. 745
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Phase I: 1960–70 > p. 55
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance > Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam > p. 158
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 India's membership of the SCO
💡 The insight

India is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and uses that membership in its regional diplomacy.

High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask which multilateral organisations India is part of and how it leverages them. Understanding India's SCO membership links foreign policy specifics (Central Asia outreach, security cooperation) with broader multilateral strategy.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA POLICY OF INDIA > p. 612
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA POLICY OF INDIA > p. 611
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 SCO as a platform for India's Central Asia policy
💡 The insight

India uses the SCO to step up multilateral engagement with Central Asian partners and to bolster linkages in the region.

Important for essays and polity/IR questions: explains how India pursues regional objectives via multilateral fora. Connects to topics on India’s neighbourhood policy, security cooperation, and economic diplomacy; useful for source-based and analytical questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA POLICY OF INDIA > p. 611
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 88: Foreign Policy > CONNECT CENTRAL ASIA POLICY OF INDIA > p. 612
🔗 Anchor: "Is India a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Since MTCR (missiles) was asked, the logical sibling is the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Prediction: 'India is a member of NSG' (False). Also, look out for the 'Ashgabat Agreement' (India joined) vs 'Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)' (India never signed).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'Strategic Necessity' logic. MTCR deals with missiles. India has the BrahMos (joint venture with Russia). To develop or export high-range missiles, India *needs* to be in the MTCR to access technology legally. For AIIB, India is a developing nation hungry for infrastructure funds—why would we stay out of a bank focused on Asian infrastructure? If the body benefits India's core growth or security, assume membership unless there's a famous geopolitical blocker (like China in NSG).

🔗 Mains Connection

Links to GS Mains Paper 2 (IR): 'Strategic Autonomy' and 'Multi-alignment'. India joining SCO (China/Russia-led) while simultaneously joining MTCR/Wassenaar (West-dominated) is the perfect example of India balancing competing power blocs to serve national interest.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2019 · Q71 Relevance score: 4.22

With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements : 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. 2. India is the largest shareholder in AIIB. 3. AIIB does not have any members from outside Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

CDS-I · 2015 · Q120 Relevance score: 2.78

Which of the following statements with regard to the proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is/are correct ? 1. India is one of the founding members of the Bank. 2. The Bank is to be headquartered in Shanghai. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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IAS · 2009 · Q106 Relevance score: 0.87

Consider the following pairs: 1. Asian Development Bank: Tokyo 2. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation :Singapore 3. Association of South East Asian Nations :Bangkok Which of the above pairs is/are correct matchd?

IAS · 2007 · Q110 Relevance score: 0.42

Consider the following statements: 1. China has the observer’s status at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. 2. India has the observer’s status at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?