Question 56 from UPSC CSE 2016 - Current
Affairs

Question

Which of the following is not a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Iran

Strategy: Identify the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a union of Arab states in the Persian Gulf. This identity distinguishes members like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait from non-members such as Iran, which is Persian and has a distinct geopolitical standing.

Key Info: **Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)**
- **Establishment and Purpose:** The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), officially known as the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, was established on May 25, 1981, by an agreement concluded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union of Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf.
- **Member States:** The six member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. All these are Arab monarchies. Iraq, despite being an Arab state with a Persian Gulf coastline, is not a member.
- **Headquarters:** Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- **Objectives:** The GCC aims to achieve unity among its members based on common objectives and similar political and cultural identities rooted in Islamic principles. Its goals include strengthening economic, social, and cultural cooperation, fostering scientific and technological progress, and ensuring stability in the region.

**Iran**
- **Regional Context:** Iran is a major country in the Middle East, located on the northern shore of the Persian Gulf. It is predominantly Persian (not Arab) and its population is largely Shia Muslim.
- **Relationship with GCC:** Due to historical, political, and ethnic differences, and often conflicting regional interests, Iran is not a member of the GCC. It is generally viewed by GCC states as a rival, rather than a partner, in regional blocs.

**Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait**
- These three countries are founding members of the GCC and are integral to its political and economic framework.
- They are all Arab states located on the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Persian Gulf.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Saudi Arabia

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Oman

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Kuwait