Which of the below statements is/are correct?
Statement 1: Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2016 due to human rights concerns.
Statement 2: India is not a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Only Statement 1 is correct.
Explanation:
☛ Statement 1 is correct: In October 2016, the Maldives withdrew its membership from the Commonwealth of Nations following criticism regarding its human rights record and the state of democracy under President Abdulla Yameen.
☛ Statement 2 is incorrect: India is a founding member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which was established in March 1997 to promote regional cooperation and sustainable development.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Maldives re-entry: The Maldives officially rejoined the Commonwealth on 1 February 2020 under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
☛ Commonwealth of Nations: Formally constituted by the London Declaration of 1949, it currently consists of 56 member countries with its secretariat located in London, UK.
☛ Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): The secretariat of IORA is situated in Ebène, Mauritius, and it currently comprises 23 member states bordering the Indian Ocean.
☛ Maldives: The capital of the Maldives is Malé, and its official currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ In which year was the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) established? → 1997
☛ Where is the headquarters of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) located? → Ebène, Mauritius
☛ In which year did the Maldives rejoin the Commonwealth of Nations? → 2020
☛ Where is the Commonwealth Secretariat located? → London, United Kingdom
☛ How many sovereign states are currently members of the Commonwealth? → 56