While researching on the subject of “Multilateralism and Flexible Security Cooperation”, came across various list of formal and informal groups that India is part of.
Some are global while others are regional. Some are large groups while the others are smaller. Some are specific issue based while others have number of issues on their charter.
Comprehensive list (in alphabetical order) is as follows:-
| AALCO | Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization |
| ADB | Asian Development Bank |
| AfDB | African Development Bank (non-regional members) |
| AG | Australia Group |
| ASEAN Regional Forum | The Association of Southeast Asian Nations |
| BASIC | India Brazil South Africa & China climate grouping |
| BIMSTEC | The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation is an international organisation involving a group of countries in South Asia and South East Asia. These are: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. |
| BIS | Bank for International Settlements |
| BRICS | Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa |
| CoN | Commonwealth of Nations |
| CERN | European Organization for Nuclear Research [457] |
| CP | Colombo Plan |
| EAS | East Asia Summit |
| FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
| G-4 | Grouping of India, Japan, Brazil, Germany for permanent membership into UNSC |
| G-15 | Group of 15 |
| G-20 | Group of 20 (major economies of which India is a part of Commonwealth of Nations). |
| G-24 | Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development |
| G-33 | A group led by India coordinating on WTO issues |
| G-77 | The Group of 77 at the United Nations is a loose coalition of developing nations, designed to promote its members’ collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations. |
| IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
| IBRD | International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) |
| IBSA | India Brazil South Africa trilateral |
| ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization |
| ICC | International Chamber of Commerce |
| ICRM | International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement |
| IDA | International Development Association |
| IEA | International Energy Agency |
| IFAD | International Fund for Agricultural Development |
| IFC | International Finance Corporation |
| IFRCS | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
| IHO | International Hydrographic Organisation |
| ILO | International Labour Organization |
| IMF | International Monetary Fund |
| IMO | International Maritime Organization |
| IMSO | International Mobile Satellite Organization |
| Interpol | International Criminal Police Organization |
| IOC | International Olympic Committee |
| IORA | Indian Ocean Rim Association |
| IOM | International Organization for Migration (observer) |
| IPEEC | International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation |
| IPU | Inter-Parliamentary Union |
| ISO | International Organization for Standardization |
| ITSO | International Telecommunications Satellite Organization |
| ITU | International Telecommunication Union |
| ITUC | International Trade Union Confederation (the successor to ICFTU (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions) and the WCL (World Confederation of Labour)) |
| LAS | League of Arab States (observer) |
| Mekong-Ganga Cooperation | Cooperation in multiple sectors between India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao, Vietnam, Thailand |
| MIGA | Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency |
| MTCR | Missile Technology Control Regime |
| NAM | Non-Aligned Movement |
| OAS | Organization of American States (observer) |
| OPCW | Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |
| PCA | Permanent Court of Arbitration |
| PIF | Pacific Islands Forum (partner) |
| Quad | Informal grouping of India, Australia, Japan & U.S against rise of China |
| SAARC | South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation |
| SACEP | South Asia Co-operative Environment Program |
| SCO | Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (member) |
| UN | United Nations |
| UNAIDS | United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS |
| UNCTAD | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
| UNDOF | United Nations Disengagement Observer Force |
| UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation |
| UNHCR | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |
| UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization |
| UNIFIL | United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon |
| UNMEE | United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea |
| UNMIS | United Nations Mission in Sudan |
| UNOCI | United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire |
| MONUSCO | United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| UNWTO | World Tourism Organization |
| UPU | Universal Postal Union |
| WA | Wassenaar Arrangement |
| WCL | World Confederation of Labour |
| WCO | World Customs Organization |
| WFTU | World Federation of Trade Unions |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WIPO | World Intellectual Property Organization |
| WMO | World Meteorological Organization |
| WTO | World Trade Organization |
India is also looking to join APEC,UNSC & NSG, MTCR, the Australia and the Wassenaar groups.
It will be worthwhile researching about the purpose, present status and effectiveness of these groupings.
Bottom Line
Collective problem solving is a norm world over.
Question
how many out of these are still serving their purpose?
Coming up
Comprehensive list with more info on each grouping.
Suggestions and value additions are most welcome
For regular updates, please register here
This blog and subsequent one on the subject will a good reference point for researchers on this topic.
What about RCEP – thoughts on India’s reticence?
Will address it in future posts