Regional and Global Groupings

UPSC notes on groupings involving India — SAARC, BIMSTEC, ASEAN, SCO, BRICS, G20, Quad, IPEF and Indian Ocean forums — founding years, members, secretariats and India's role.

SyllabusGS II · Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests

India belongs to more groupings than almost any other country — from SAARC in South Asia to the G20 at the global level, from China-inclusive forums like BRICS and the SCO to the US-inclusive Quad. That spread is itself the theme UPSC tests: multi-alignment in practice.

What UPSC asks

Prelims: founding years, founding and current members, secretariat locations, which country is (or is not) a member, and summit outcomes. “How many of the above are members of…” is a favourite format.
Mains: why SAARC stalled and BIMSTEC rose; what the Quad is and is not; India’s role in BRICS and the SCO alongside China; India’s G20 presidency and the voice of the Global South.

Key groupings at a glance

Level	Groupings
South Asia and Bay of Bengal	SAARC, BIMSTEC, BBIN, Mekong–Ganga Cooperation
Asia-Pacific	ASEAN-led forums (EAS, ARF, ADMM-Plus), Quad, IPEF
Eurasia	SCO
Global South and emerging economies	BRICS, IBSA, G77
Global economy	G20
Indian Ocean	IORA, IONS, Colombo Security Conclave
Technology control	MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement, Australia Group

Main topic: India in Regional and Global Groupings. Revise with the quick revision sheet and test yourself with the practice questions.