The focus on the group can boost regional trade and connectivity. Ending suspense on the list of international invitees for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on May 30, the government has revealed that BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), leaders along with the president of the Kyrgyz Republic and the prime minister of Mauritius have been invited.
Mr Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in 2014 had leaders from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries and Mauritius in attendance. The pivot from SAARC to BIMSTEC is pretty much on expected lines.
BIMSTEC is now increasingly seen as India’s attempt at regional multilateralism without Pakistan, which has itself to blame for this exclusion. The latest bout of frustration in New Delhi started with the 2014 SAARC summit. Pakistan vetoed connectivity agreements on the table when all other countries were ready to sign it. Pakistan’s intransigence stemmed from its fear of Indian goods overwhelming its markets and a desire to put obstacles in India-Afghanistan connectivity. The next summit was to be hosted by Pakistan but that never happened because of the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Uri in September, 2016. In the Goa, BRICS summit a month later, India preferred BIMSTEC over SAARC for an outreach summit.
There are, thus, two big problems with SAARC and both have to do with Pakistan. The country drags its feet on connectivity agreements — and what else can SAARC achieve if not trade and connectivity in one of the world’s least integrated regions economically? — and has continued to remain the fountainhead of terrorism in the region. This does not mean all is fine with BIMSTEC. It suffers from a lack of human and financial resources while, at the same time, spreading itself too thin in trying to address a wide range of issues. The increased focus on this group was overdue but New Delhi has to realise that Pakistan cannot be blamed for BIMSTEC’s failures. The credit or blame will entirely be India’s and hence it should leave no stone unturned to use the regional group to enhance trade and connectivity in the region.
29.05.2019
Hindustan Times
1Q : Which among the following statements is/are correct in context of the passage ?
1. India is not paying due attention of SAARC.
2. India is not paying due attention to BIMSTEC.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
2.Q : Which among the following problems of SAARC are due to Pakistan ?
1. Connectivity Problem
2. Promotion of Terrorism
3. Shortage of Human and Financial Resources
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
3. Q : Which among the following statements is/are correct in context of the passage ?
1. India preferred BIMSTEC over SAARC in Goa summit.
2. Pakistan preferred China over SAARC.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
4 Q : Which among the following statements is/are correct in context of the passage ?
1. Mauritius is not the part of BIMSTEC.
2. Mauritius is not the part of SAARC.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
5. Which among the following statements is/are correct in context of the passage ?
1. Pakistan held the summit of SAARC in 2016.
2. Pakistan held the summit of SAARC in 2016 without India.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Question numbers 6 and 8 have a word each in UPPER CASE followed by four choices. In each question, find out which of the choices is SIMILAR or CLOSEST in meaning to the word in UPPER CASE :
6. INTRASIGENCE
a. Flexible
b. Bending
c. Yielding
d. Unwavering
7. STEMMED
a. Cause
b. Give rise to
c. Emerge
d. Be independent of
8. OUTREACH
a. Exceed
b. Fall behind
c. Surrender
d. Superior
Question numbers 9 and 10 have a word each in UPPER CASE followed by four choices. In each question, find out which of the choices is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word in UPPER CASE :
9. FOUNTAINHEAD
a. Dawn
b. Termination
c. Emergence
d. Inception
10. OVERDUE
a. Behindland
b. Unpunctual
c. Tardy
d. Early