Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
- (a) Iran ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Saudi Arabia
- (c) Oman
- (d) Kuwait
Why the answer is (a)
• The Gulf Cooperation Council (1981) has six Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
• Iran, a Persian (non-Arab) republic on the opposite shore, is not a member — option (a).
• India has close trade and diaspora ties with the GCC and is negotiating an FTA with it.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia is a founding GCC member.
- (c) Oman
- Oman is a GCC member.
- (d) Kuwait
- Kuwait is a GCC member.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.