Previous Year Question

India is a member of all three institutions or arrangements.

1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank — Correct

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank headquartered in Beijing. It finances sustainable infrastructure and regional connectivity projects in Asia and other regions.

• The Articles of Agreement of AIIB were signed in June 2015, and the Bank commenced operations in January 2016.

• India is a founding and regional member of AIIB.

• India has the second-largest shareholding and voting power in AIIB after China.

• India has also been among the leading recipients of AIIB financing.

Therefore, India is a member of AIIB.

2. Missile Technology Control Regime — Correct

The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is a voluntary and informal export-control arrangement dealing with sensitive technology, equipment and software associated with missiles and other unmanned delivery systems.

• It was established in 1987 by seven countries.

• Its principal objective is to prevent the proliferation of unmanned delivery systems capable of delivering Weapons of Mass Destruction.

• India joined the MTCR on 27 June 2016 as its 35th member.

• The MTCR is not a legally binding international treaty. Its members implement the MTCR Guidelines and Technical Annex through their national export-control laws.

Therefore, India is a member of the MTCR.

3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation — Correct

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an intergovernmental organisation established in Shanghai on 15 June 2001. Its Secretariat is headquartered in Beijing.

Its activities include cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism, as well as economic, energy, transport and cultural cooperation.

• India received observer status in the SCO in 2005.

• India and Pakistan became full members at the Astana Summit on 9 June 2017.

• Following the admission of Belarus in 2024, the SCO has 10 member states. India continues to be a full member in 2026.