In which of the following International Organisations is India a member ? 1. Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation. 2. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. Introduction to International Multilateralism (basic)

At its heart, multilateralism is the practice of multiple countries working together to achieve a common goal or solve a shared problem. Think of it as a 'global group project.' In a world where challenges like climate change, pandemics, and trade disputes cross borders, no single nation—no matter how powerful—can solve them alone. An international organization is not a 'super-state' with supreme authority; rather, it is a tool created by and for sovereign states to discuss contentious issues and find peaceful solutions Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), International Organisations, p.47. For India, multilateralism has been a cornerstone of foreign policy since independence. Rather than joining military blocs like NATO or the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War, India championed Non-Alignment (NAM). This wasn't about being 'neutral' or 'passive'; it was a positive assertion of independence, aiming to democratize international relations and reduce global tensions Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM., The Evolution of Nationalist Foreign Policy, p.627. Today, India engages in multilateralism through various lenses:

• Global Platforms: Such as the United Nations, where India contributes significantly to Peacekeeping Operations Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Indi External Relations, p.57.
• Regional Groups: Like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which India helped found to foster cooperation among countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
• Economic Partnerships: Where India might not be a full member due to specific criteria (like the OECD, which is primarily for high-income economies) but participates as an 'associate' or 'partner' to stay integrated with global standards.

Feature	Bilateralism	Multilateralism
Participants	Two countries (e.g., India-Japan)	Three or more countries (e.g., UN, BRICS)
Scope	Specific mutual interests	Global or regional common goods

Sources: Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), International Organisations, p.47; Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM., The Evolution of Nationalist Foreign Policy, p.627; Politics in India since Independence, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Indi External Relations, p.57

2. Regionalism and India's Neighborhood Policy (basic)

In the study of international relations, regionalism refers to the expression of a common identity and purpose by countries located in a specific geographical area. For India, this concept is the cornerstone of its 'Neighborhood First' policy. The logic is simple: a stable, prosperous neighborhood is essential for India’s own growth. As we see in our region, South Asia is often characterized by a mix of deep-rooted conflicts—such as border disputes and resource sharing—and a shared recognition that cooperation is the only path to collective prosperity Contemporary World Politics, Contemporary South Asia, p.29. To institutionalize this cooperation, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985. It includes eight members: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan. While SAARC aims to foster growth through initiatives like the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), its progress has often been hampered by bilateral tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.60. Because of these roadblocks, India has increasingly looked toward broader maritime regionalism through organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), founded in 1997, to foster economic and social cooperation among the littoral states of the Indian Ocean.

Feature	SAARC	IORA
Established	1985	1997
Primary Focus	South Asian land-based integration	Indian Ocean maritime cooperation
Key Challenge	Indo-Pak bilateral tensions	Diverse interests of distant littoral states

Sources: Contemporary World Politics, Contemporary South Asia, p.29; Contemporary World Politics, Contemporary South Asia, p.42; Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.60

3. Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) (intermediate)

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has emerged as the global "center of gravity" in the 21st century, acting as a vital highway for international trade. India sits at the heart of this region with a massive 7,500 km coastline and 14,500 km of navigable waterways Indian Economy, Vivek Singh, p.419. To project influence and ensure a "rules-based order," India has pivoted toward a policy of multilateral engagement. A cornerstone of this is the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), established in 1997 (originally as IOR-ARC). India is not just a member but a founding father of this organization, which was built alongside South Africa to foster economic cooperation and maritime security among littoral states Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, p.533.

Geopolitics is not just about diplomacy; it is also about infrastructure and economic connectivity. India recognizes that to be a regional leader, it must address domestic inefficiencies that hamper its maritime competitiveness. For instance, while 90% of India's EXIM trade by volume moves by sea, high logistics costs and connectivity bottlenecks between ports and the hinterland remain a challenge Indian Economy, Vivek Singh, p.419. To tackle this, the Sagarmala Project was launched. This ambitious initiative aims for port-led development, connecting coastal cities via modern road and rail networks, and creating Coastal Economic Zones to attract global investment Indian Economy, Vivek Singh, p.420.

While India is deeply integrated into IOR-specific bodies, it maintains a nuanced relationship with global organizations. For example, India is not a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which is largely comprised of high-income economies. However, India actively collaborates as an associate country in specific wings like the International Energy Agency (IEA) to influence global energy security Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, p.533, 552. This selective engagement allows India to prioritize its strategic autonomy while leading regional initiatives like the "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Sources: Indian Economy, Vivek Singh, Infrastructure and Investment Models, p.419-420; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, International Economic Institutions, p.533, 552

4. Global Economic Governance and Power Blocs (intermediate)

Global Economic Governance refers to the system of institutions, rules, and power structures that manage international trade, finance, and development. Historically, this governance was dominated by Western-led organizations like the G7 (Group of Seven) and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). The G7, formed in 1975, consists of highly industrialized nations—the US, Canada, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Japan—acting as a steering committee for the global economy Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18, p.547. While India is considered a leader of the developing world and a potential superpower, it is not a member of the G7 or the OECD, as the latter is primarily restricted to high-income economies Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18, p.533. However, India’s growing influence is reflected in its role as a guest in G8+5 summits and its participation in the OECD Development Centre Geography of India, Majid Husain, India–Political Aspects, p.58.

To challenge the traditional dominance of the Western-centric Bretton Woods system (the IMF and World Bank), India has championed the creation of alternative Power Blocs. A prime example is BRICS, which led to the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2012. The NDB was born from a need to address the fact that BRICS nations hold less than 15% of voting rights in the IMF despite representing nearly half the world's population Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18, p.528. Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB focuses on funding infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies, providing a counter-narrative to traditional Western lending conditions Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18, p.529.

Regionally, India leverages its strategic geography to lead blocs like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Founded in 1997 through an initiative by India and South Africa, IORA serves as a platform for littoral states to cooperate on maritime security and economic development. By balancing its involvement in "elite" clubs like the G20 with its leadership in South-South cooperation platforms, India positions itself as a bridge-builder in global economic governance—moving from a rule-taker to a rule-maker.

Sources: Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions, p.547; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions, p.533; Geography of India, Majid Husain, India–Political Aspects, p.58; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions, p.528; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions, p.529

5. Energy Security and International Alliances (intermediate)

To understand India's role in global energy governance, we must first recognize that energy security is not just about having enough fuel; it is about the '4 As': Availability, Accessibility, Affordability, and Acceptability (environmental sustainability). As the world's third-largest energy consumer, accounting for roughly 5.8% of global consumption Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 17, p. 443, India’s strategic interest lies in balancing traditional oil security with a transition toward renewable energy.

A primary pillar of global energy diplomacy is the International Energy Agency (IEA). Established in the wake of the 1973-74 oil crisis, its original mandate was to prevent supply disruptions. However, there is a specific institutional hurdle: to be a full member of the IEA, a country must first be a member of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Since India is not an OECD member—as that group is primarily restricted to high-income economies—it cannot be a full IEA member. Instead, India became an 'Associate Country' of the IEA in 2017, allowing it to participate in high-level dialogues and reports like the World Energy Outlook without full membership obligations Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18, p. 552.

While the IEA represents the 'old guard' of energy security, India has taken a leadership role in the 'new guard' by co-founding the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2015. Unlike the IEA, which is headquartered in Paris, the ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, India. It was originally designed for 'sunshine countries' located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn to exploit solar energy, though it has since expanded its reach Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 18, p. 288. This marks a shift in India’s multilateral strategy: moving from being a rule-taker in Western-led energy groups to a rule-maker in climate-centric alliances.

Feature	International Energy Agency (IEA)	International Solar Alliance (ISA)
India's Status	Associate Member (not a full member)	Founding Member & Host
Primary Focus	Oil security and energy statistics	Solar energy deployment
Membership Rule	Requires OECD membership for full status	Open to all UN members (voting rights nuances)

Sources: Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions, p.552; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 17: Infrastructure, p.443; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Chapter 18: Renewable Energy, p.288-289

6. The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Deep-Dive (exam-level)

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a dynamic inter-governmental organisation established on 7 March 1997. The vision for IORA originated during a visit by Nelson Mandela to India in 1995, where he proposed the idea of an Indian Ocean Rim for socio-economic cooperation. This led to the formation of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), which was later renamed IORA in 2013. India, alongside South Africa, played a pivotal role as a founding member in crafting this platform to foster regional stability and prosperity Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18, p.533.

IORA is unique because it brings together 23 Member States and 12 Dialogue Partners from across three continents—Africa, Asia, and Australia—linked by the Indian Ocean. The association operates on the principle of "Open Regionalism," which seeks to enhance economic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, without creating a closed trade bloc. It focuses on six priority areas: Maritime Safety and Security, Trade and Investment Facilitation, Fisheries Management, Disaster Risk Management, Academic, Science and Technology Cooperation, and Tourism and Cultural Exchanges. Additionally, it emphasizes the Blue Economy and Women’s Economic Empowerment as cross-cutting themes.

For India, IORA is a cornerstone of its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Unlike high-income clubs like the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)—where India is not a member because membership is generally restricted to 37 advanced, high-income economies—IORA is a regional body where India acts as a major net security provider and economic engine Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, Chapter 18, p.533. While India engages with the OECD as a "Key Partner" and participates in the IEA as an associate country, its leadership role in IORA is fundamental to its multilateral strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Feature	Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)	OECD
Nature	Regional littoral state cooperation	Club of high-income economies
India's Status	Founding Member	Non-member (Key Partner)
Core Focus	Maritime security & Blue Economy	Economic policy & global standards

Sources: Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, International Economic Institutions, p.533

7. Understanding the OECD and India's Status (exam-level)

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), established in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, is often referred to as a 'club of rich nations.' It was formed to stimulate economic progress and world trade, but its membership is unique—it is not based on geography but on shared values. To join, a country must generally be a high-income economy with a high Human Development Index (HDI) and show a deep commitment to democracy and a free-market economy History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The World after World War II, p.256. Currently, the organization consists of 37 members, including non-European states like the United States and Japan, with Colombia being a recent addition in 2020 Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), International Economic Institutions, p.533.

While India is an emerging global power, it is not a full member of the OECD. This status is shared by other major emerging economies, including China Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), International Economic Institutions, p.533. However, India is far from being an outsider. India is classified as a 'Key Partner' of the OECD and engages deeply through various technical channels. For instance, India is a member of the OECD Development Centre and is an 'Associate Country' of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which operates under the OECD framework Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), International Economic Institutions, p.552.

One of the most critical areas of cooperation is the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) framework. India suffers significantly from tax evasion and the misuse of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA). By participating in the G20/OECD BEPS project, India works with the international community to curb money laundering and ensure that multinational companies pay taxes where economic activity occurs Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), Indian Tax Structure and Public Finance, p.118.

Feature	OECD Membership Details
Headquarters	Paris, France
Core Principles	Democracy and Free Market Economy
India's Status	Non-member (Key Partner)
Major Frameworks	BEPS, OECD Development Centre, IEA (Associate)

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The World after World War II, p.256; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), International Economic Institutions, p.533, 552; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), Indian Tax Structure and Public Finance, p.118

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question tests your ability to categorize India's multi-layered engagement with global and regional bodies. Having just studied India's maritime strategy and economic diplomacy, you can see how these building blocks converge here. India’s geography as a dominant littoral state makes its membership in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)—an organization it co-founded in 1997—a strategic necessity for regional leadership. As noted in Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania, India’s role in IORA is central to its 'SAGAR' vision, confirming that Statement 1 is correct.

To navigate Statement 2, you must apply the "club criteria" reasoning we discussed. The OECD is historically viewed as a group of high-income, developed economies. While India is a "Key Partner" and deeply engages with OECD committees, it is not a full member. UPSC frequently uses this "proximity trap"—where a student knows India works closely with an organization and mistakenly assumes full membership. By distinguishing between active cooperation and formal membership, you can confidently eliminate Option C and Option B. Therefore, the correct answer is (A) 1 only, reinforcing the importance of tracking India's specific status in high-profile international forums.