Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation : 1. The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus. 2. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility. 3. The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 2 only
Why the answer is (c)
• The Colombo Process (2003) is a regional consultative process of Asian labour-sending countries, including India; like all such processes it is non-binding and its recommendations carry no legal force, so statement 1 ('binding decisions') is wrong.
• The Abu Dhabi Dialogue (2008) brings the Colombo Process countries together with Gulf and other destination countries in a voluntary, non-binding consultation on contractual labour mobility — statement 2 is correct.
• The Global Forum on Migration and Development was created in 2007 on the proposal of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a voluntary, informal, state-led forum whose outcomes are non-binding — statement 3 is correct.
• These forums matter to India because of its large migrant workforce in the Gulf and its remittance inflows.
• Hence 2 and 3 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 1 is wrong: the Colombo Process is non-binding.
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- Statement 1 is wrong and statement 2 on the Abu Dhabi Dialogue is correct.
- (d) 2 only
- Statement 3 on the GFMD is also correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.