Which one of the following is not a member of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) grouping ?

1. India's Act East Policy and Southeast Asia (basic)

To understand India's engagement with its eastern neighbors, we must start with the shift in India’s global outlook following the end of the Cold War. In 1991, with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and a domestic economic crisis, India was forced to rethink its foreign policy Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, After Nehru, p.745. This led to the launch of the Look East Policy (LEP) in 1992 by Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. The LEP was primarily an economic initiative aimed at integrating India with the booming economies of Southeast Asia, specifically the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In 2014, the policy was upgraded to the Act East Policy (AEP). While the older LEP was more observational and economic-centric, the AEP is proactive and multi-dimensional. It expands India's influence beyond just trade into the realms of security, defense, and cultural diplomacy across the broader Indo-Pacific region M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, Foreign Policy, p.612. A core component of this is sub-regional cooperation. For instance, India engages with groups like the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)—a program established in 1992 with Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance. The GMS includes six countries sharing the Mekong basin: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China (Yunnan/Guangxi). It is a vital geographic bridge for India's connectivity projects, though it is important to note that Malaysia, while a founding member of ASEAN, is not part of the GMS framework as it does not share the Mekong River basin.

Feature	Look East Policy (1992)	Act East Policy (2014)
Primary Focus	Economic integration & Trade	Strategic, Security, & Political ties
Geographic Scope	ASEAN (Southeast Asia)	Extended neighborhood (Indo-Pacific)
Nature	Reactive / Observational	Proactive / Action-oriented

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Foreign Policy, p.612; Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM., After Nehru..., p.745, 794; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22), International Economic Institutions, p.550

2. ASEAN: Architecture of Regional Cooperation (basic)

To understand the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), we must first look at its unique DNA. Unlike the European Union, which has powerful central governing bodies, ASEAN operates on a principle known as the 'ASEAN Way'. This is a style of interaction that is informal, non-confrontational, and cooperative, placing the highest value on national sovereignty Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2, p.20. It was born in 1967 when five founding nations—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—signed the Bangkok Declaration to promote regional peace and economic growth.

As the grouping matured, it expanded to 10 members and deepened its structure. In 2003, ASEAN moved to establish an ASEAN Community built on three distinct pillars:

• ASEAN Security Community: Focuses on the conviction that territorial disputes should not escalate into armed conflict. It is supported by the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), established in 1994 to coordinate foreign and security policy Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2, p.21.
• ASEAN Economic Community: Aims to create a single market and production base to enhance the region’s global competitiveness.
• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community: Focuses on human development and social welfare.

Beyond the main organization, regional cooperation often happens in smaller "clusters" or subregions. A vital example is the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), established in 1992 with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). While ASEAN includes maritime nations like Malaysia and the Philippines, the GMS is specifically focused on the six countries that share the Mekong River basin: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China (specifically Yunnan and Guangxi). Interestingly, even though Malaysia was a founding pillar of ASEAN, it is not a member of the GMS because it does not share the Mekong basin geography.

Sources: Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power, p.20; Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power, p.21; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), International Economic Institutions, p.550

3. Trans-boundary River Basin Diplomacy (intermediate)

Trans-boundary River Basin Diplomacy is the strategic management of water resources that cross international borders. Because rivers do not respect political boundaries, they create a unique interdependency between Riparian States (nations through which a river flows). This diplomacy is a delicate balancing act: Upstream states usually hold the geographical advantage (controlling flow and building dams), while Downstream states are vulnerable to changes in water volume and quality. India, for instance, occupies a complex position as both an upstream state (to Bangladesh) and a downstream state (to China). Many Indian rivers, such as those in Manipur, flow into neighboring countries like Myanmar, eventually joining major systems like the Irrawaddy Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.17.

To move from potential conflict to cooperation, nations often form sub-regional groupings focused on shared prosperity. A standout example is the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), established in 1992. It brings together six countries sharing the Mekong River basin—Cambodia, China (Yunnan and Guangxi), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—to focus on economic connectivity through energy, transport, and telecommunications. Rather than focusing solely on water rights, which can be contentious, these groupings use water as a foundation for broader integrated regional development. For example, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh have discussed sub-regional plans to share river waters and power, such as diverting water from the Sankosh River to help the Teesta and Farakka regions Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.40.

Diplomacy Pillar	Core Objective	Example Context
Technical Cooperation	Sharing hydrological data and disaster warnings.	Indo-Nepal joint ventures like the Mahakali Project Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.40.
Benefit Sharing	Trading hydel power for infrastructure or water.	India purchasing 4000 MW of power from Bhutan to strengthen the National Power Grid Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.40.
Multilateral Frameworks	Institutionalized economic and environmental cooperation.	The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) framework supported by the ADB.

Modern river diplomacy has shifted from simply "splitting the water" to Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This approach views the river basin as a single ecological unit. In South Asia, this is reflected in how India manages its international agreements regarding water sharing with Tibet (China), Pakistan, and Bhutan Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.39. The goal is to turn "water wars" into "water peace" by linking water management to common economic goals like the regional power grid or flood control.

Sources: Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.17; Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.39; Geography of India, The Drainage System of India, p.40

4. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) (intermediate)

Concept: Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)

5. Connectivity Corridors: IMT Trilateral Highway (exam-level)

The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway is a massive infrastructure project designed to physically bridge South Asia and Southeast Asia. Spanning approximately 1,360 km, this highway is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy, aimed at boosting trade, business, and cultural exchanges. The route begins at Moreh in Manipur (India), traverses through Myanmar (via points like Tamu and Kalewa), and terminates at Mae Sot in Thailand. Under agreements with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), such routes are designated as international highways to facilitate seamless regional movement Geography of India ,Majid Husain, Transport, Communications and Trade, p.6.

While the project promises immense economic benefits, it faces significant geographical and security hurdles. The route passes through complex terrains and regions prone to ethnic insurgencies, drug trafficking, and cross-border human trafficking, which have historically threatened the pace of construction Geography of India ,Majid Husain, India–Political Aspects, p.81. To make the highway truly functional, the three nations are working on a Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA). This legal framework will allow for the movement of cargo and passenger vehicles across borders without the need for transshipment (unloading and reloading goods at the border), which currently adds significant cost and time to regional trade.

Beyond the immediate trio of India, Myanmar, and Thailand, there is a visionary proposal to extend this corridor further eastward. This proposed extension would reach into Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam (the CLV countries), potentially creating a continuous land link from the Bay of Bengal to the South China Sea. This transformation into a 'super-corridor' would integrate the Indian economy more deeply with the ASEAN region, making India a vital part of the Southeast Asian value chain.

Feature	Details of IMT Trilateral Highway
Starting Point	Moreh, Manipur (India)
Ending Point	Mae Sot (Thailand)
Key Sections	Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (69 bridges) and Kalewa-Yagyi road
Strategic Goal	Physical connectivity for the "Act East Policy"

Sources: Geography of India ,Majid Husain, Transport, Communications and Trade, p.6; Geography of India ,Majid Husain, India–Political Aspects, p.81

6. The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Framework (exam-level)

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is a powerful example of subregional economic cooperation driven by shared geography. Established in 1992 with the strategic assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the program was designed to bind together the six nations that share the Mekong River basin. The core philosophy is simple: by pooling resources and improving cross-border infrastructure, these countries can transform from a collection of fragmented markets into a unified economic powerhouse. Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (2nd ed.), International Economic Institutions, p.531

The membership of the GMS is a frequent area of focus in competitive exams. It consists of:

• Cambodia
• Lao PDR
• Myanmar
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• China (specifically the Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region)

It is vital to note that while countries like Malaysia are founding members of ASEAN, they are not part of the GMS because they do not share the Mekong's immediate drainage basin. Environment, Shankar IAS Academy (10th ed.), Protected Area Network, p.223

The framework operates through what we call the '3 Cs' strategy: Connectivity (building the physical links like roads and power grids), Competitiveness (reducing trade barriers), and Community (focusing on shared environmental and social goals). This isn't just a talk shop; the GMS is famous for its 'Economic Corridors'—specific geographic routes where infrastructure investments are concentrated to spur local business and industrial growth. The ADB serves as the Secretariat, providing the technical expertise and financial backing to turn these regional visions into reality. Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (2nd ed.), International Economic Institutions, p.530

Sources: Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (2nd ed. 2021-22), International Economic Institutions, p.530-531; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy (10th ed.), Protected Area Network, p.223

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question tests your ability to bridge physical geography with regional geopolitics. Having just mastered the course of the Mekong River and the dynamics of ASEAN connectivity, you can see how the building blocks come together. The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is a functional application of these concepts, representing an economic cooperation framework initiated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to integrate the nations bound by this vital waterway. As discussed in Contemporary World Politics, NCERT, such regional groupings are essential for creating contemporary centers of power through shared infrastructure and trade corridors.

To arrive at the correct answer, you must visualize the map and follow the river's flow. The Mekong originates in the Tibetan Plateau (China) and travels through Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. These six entities (including China's Yunnan and Guangxi regions) comprise the GMS. Since China, Myanmar, and Thailand are all riparian states that the river physically touches or borders, they are naturally included in the grouping. By eliminating the nations that share the river basin, you are left with the outlier.

The correct answer is (B) Malaysia. This is a classic UPSC "proximity trap." Because Malaysia is a prominent member of ASEAN and frequently appears alongside these countries in ecological contexts—such as the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot mentioned in Environment, Shankar IAS Academy—students often assume it belongs to all Southeast Asian sub-groupings. However, Malaysia is a maritime Southeast Asian nation with no geographical connection to the Mekong River. UPSC expects you to distinguish between general regional identity (ASEAN) and basin-specific cooperation (GMS).