Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC UPSC Notes: Formation, Structure & More

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC is an initiative by six countries for cooperation in tourism, culture, education, and transport and communications – India and five ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Lao PDR. The MGC aims to strengthen member countries' friendship, solidarity, and cooperation by facilitating inter-state movement and transit. Besides, it also focuses on the transport of goods and people in the region, creating necessary infrastructural facilities in the Ganga-Mekong basin areas; and encouraging active participation in poverty eradication.

Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC)

Mekong Ganga Cooperation is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the International Organisations subject in the UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus 2023 and current events of international importance in UPSC prelims. 

This article will provide all the necessary information on the Mekong -Ganga Cooperation, such as background, Mekong-Ganga cooperation members, and Mekong Ganga cooperation countries. You can also study other significant International Organization for UPSC Exams topics with the Testbook!

What is Mekong Ganga Cooperation?

To foster collaboration in the areas of tourism, culture, education, transportation, and communications, the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was founded in 2000 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, by India and the five Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam). The Ganga and the Mekong are both rivers of civilization. Hence, the MGC initiative aims to strengthen relationships between the people living in these two key river basins. The MGC also highlights its member countries' cultural and economic ties throughout history.

The Mekong River

The Mekong River is one of the world’s greatest rivers, flowing through six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Lancang, sometimes known as the Mekong River, is a river that rises in China’s Himalayas. It travels through nations in the Lower Mekong Basin before entering the South China Sea. The Mekong River flows from the Tibet Plateau to the South China Sea.

Formation of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation

• From November 9–13, 2000, Vientiane, Laos, was the inaugural MGC Ministerial meeting site. The Vientiane Declaration on MGC addressed cooperation in tourism, culture, education, transport, and communications and was released following the meeting.
• The Hanoi Programme of Action, a detailed work programme for six years (July 2001 to July 2007), containing specific actions for cooperation in culture, tourism, human resource development/education, transport, and communications, was adopted at the 2nd MGC Ministerial Meeting held in Hanoi on July 28, 2001.
• On June 20, 2003, the third MGC Ministerial Meeting occurred in Phnom Penh. It gave the MGC initiative more political traction. The Phnom Penh Roadmap for MGC was adopted.
• During the meeting, the Ministers discussed the Hanoi Programme of Action for MGC implementation. According to the Hanoi Programme of Action, the Ministers decided that MGC should remain to concentrate on the four core areas of tourism, culture, education, and transport and communications.

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Structure of MGC

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is a multilateral initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation and strengthening ties between India and five Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Here’s the structure of MGC:

Ministerial Meetings

The highest decision-making body of the MGC is the Ministerial Meeting, typically held annually. It is chaired by the Foreign Ministers of the member countries, with the chairmanship rotating among the countries.

Senior Officials' Meetings (SOM)

These meetings support the Ministerial Meetings and are held more frequently, often semi-annually. Senior officials discuss and review the progress of cooperation projects and prepare agendas for Ministerial Meetings.

Working Groups

Several working groups focus on specific areas of collaboration, such as tourism, culture, education, and transport. These working groups are composed of experts and officials from member countries who provide recommendations and oversight for their respective sectors.

Projects and Initiatives

The MGC undertakes various projects and initiatives across sectors like infrastructure development, cultural exchanges, educational programs, and people-to-people connectivity. These projects are monitored and executed by the relevant working groups under the guidance of SOM.

Secretariat and Coordination

Coordination is primarily managed through the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. It facilitates communication and collaboration among member countries. India’s Ministry of External Affairs also plays a crucial role in coordination and implementation.

Meetings and Forums

Besides the formal meetings, various side events, expert group meetings, and forums are held to discuss specific issues, foster knowledge exchange, and facilitate better cooperation among the member states.

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Mekong Ganga Cooperation Plan of Action (2019-2022)

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation Plan of Action (PoA) 2019-22 was adopted by members at the 10th MGC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. This Plan of Action implements the MGC Partnership’s goals and objectives for the next three years (2019-2022) by laying out activities that all parties will undertake to expand further and enhance collaboration in the MGC priority sectors.

It envisions project-based cooperation among member countries in a variety of fields such as tourism and culture, education, public health and traditional medicine, agriculture and allied sectors, water resources management, science and technology, transportation and communications, MSMEs, skill development and capacity building, and the Quick Impact Projects Scheme. Below are the key components of the latest MGC Plan of Action:

Culture

Rivers have defined cultures, religions, ways of life, and economies in the Mekong and Ganga regions. Given the Indo-Chinese culture’s influence on Southeast Asia, finding similar values, beliefs, and behaviors toward rivers is unsurprising.

Tourism

In addition to the over 1000 scholarships already awarded each year, India has announced dozens of ITEC scholarships for MGC countries in the fields of culture, tourism, engineering, management, teacher training, film directing, sound, lighting, and stage management. Tourism cooperation, particularly tourism marketing, has been proposed, as has the exploration of tourist destinations for outbound tourists.

Education

India annually offers scholarships to the MGC nations through bilateral and multilateral channels. It is conceivable that Mekong nations have more extensive market access in India than India in MGC. Agriculture, processed foods, machinery, electrical and electronics, travel and tourism, and education have all seen significant advancements.

Health and Medicine

The Ministers discussed the threat of drug-resistant malaria, which is emerging as a major public health issue in MGC countries, disproportionately affecting the economically disadvantaged. They recommended that MGC Health authorities organize a Working Group in this critical sector to share information and collaborate on pandemic management.

Science and Technology

ASEAN-India Collaborative Project on Science and Technology for Malaria Control, ASEAN-India Programme on Quality Systems in Manufacturing, and ASEAN-India Collaborative R&D Project on Mariculture, Bio-mining, and Bioremediation Technologies, among others. The Mekong-Ganga Swarnabhoomi programme is a collaborative endeavour between India and five Mekong River riparian countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. ASEAN has welcomed the development of digital connectivity by using Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology.

Agriculture

Countries along the Ganga and Mekong rivers rely significantly on agriculture and use river or monsoon water for irrigation. In addition to agriculture, fishing is the primary subsistence activity related to communities around rivers.

Transport

India is collaborating to expedite the conclusion of the ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Agreement and the convening of the first meeting of the ASEAN-India Working Group on Regional Air Services Arrangements.

MSME

Since the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)of MGC countries and India complement each other regarding product, technology, human resources, and market, India suggested a Working Group at the 6th MGC meeting to assess and oversee cooperation in this area. A revised concept paper on “Cooperation between India and the Mekong countries in the sphere of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises” was distributed by India. MGC partners have commented on our work.

Water Resources

Six Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and India, have agreed to strengthen cooperation in water resource management and sustainable use. The Mekong Ganga region has a myriad of collaboration systems in place, including the Mekong River Commission, which aims to inform and manage water resource development and related transboundary concerns jointly.

Members of Mekong Ganga Cooperation

The members of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC are:

• India
• Thailand
• Myanmar
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Vietnam

These countries are part of the MGC, a regional cooperation initiative that promotes cultural, economic, and political ties among the countries along the Mekong and Ganga rivers.

Areas of Cooperation Under MGC

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC initially focused on four core areas of collaboration: tourism, culture, education, and transportation and communication. Over time, its scope has broadened to encompass additional domains such as healthcare and traditional medicine, agriculture and related fields, small and medium-sized enterprises, the management of water resources, advancements in science and technology, skill enhancement, and capacity development.

Working Mechanism of Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC

The Senior Officials Meetings (SOM), Annual Ministerial Meetings, and five working groups constitute the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation's operational structure. These 5 working groups are in charge of MGC's cooperating areas. They are listed below.

• The working group of Education
• The working group of Tourism
• The working group of Culture
• Working Group of Plans of Action
• The working group of Communication

Functions of Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC works together on tourism, culture, education, transportation, health, and communications. The Mekong-Ganga Dialogue (MGD) is an international cooperation conference for improving knowledge of water, food, and energy concerns between Mekong and Ganga countries.

• MGC member countries have been working together for regional cooperation in four areas: tourism, culture, education, transportation, and communications. MGC has gained traction due to the Act East Policy (AEP), announced in 2014.
• The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) has effectively addressed challenges through regional connectivity and strengthening cultural and trade bonds.
• MGC offers significant trade and investment prospects, with governance and institutional quality playing a vital role.
• It's important to prioritize enhancing the efficiency of economic institutions and connections that foster economic and cultural ties to support the growing relationship.
• The Mekong region holds strategic importance for India's Act East Policy (AEP), particularly benefiting India's Northeastern region.
• India should remain committed to close cooperation with ASEAN and Mekong nations to further the goals of the MGC.

Activities and Accomplishments of Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC

• Regional economic cooperation has multiple goals, including promoting trade, investment, and production by reducing barriers to moving goods, capital, labor, and technology.
• Initially, the focus was on tourism, culture, and human resource development, with plans to expand communication, transport, and infrastructure development.
• Member nations are committed to enhancing transportation networks, including the "East-West Corridor" and the "Trans-Asian Highway," connecting Singapore to New Delhi through various cities.
• Preserving historical sites and artifacts is a priority, along with establishing partnerships and twinning arrangements between regional colleges.

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India and Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC

MGC partners were invited to the 5th International Buddhist Conclave as "Guests of Honor." It took place in Delhi, Varanasi, and Sarnath in October 2016. India's top three MGC trading partners are Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. A compositional change in India's trade with Mekong nations has also been noted. The change in their trade in goods from commodities to completed goods (pharmaceuticals) and intermediate products (automobile parts and components) has also been observed.

Nonetheless, India's trade pattern with Mekong nations could be more symmetrical, suggesting significant untapped trade potential. The trade and investment links between India and ASEAN gained momentum in 2015 by adding services and investment. It is conceivable that Mekong nations have more extensive market access in India than India in MGC.

The MGC Ministers decided to expand cooperation into newer fields, such as SME cooperation, rice germplasm conservation, the formation of a working group on health, the creation of a common archival resource centre (CARC) at the Nalanda University, and quick impact projects between India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

In addition to the more than 1000 scholarships already awarded each year, India has announced several ITEC scholarships for MGC nations in the fields of culture, tourism, engineering, management, teacher training, film directing, sound, lighting, and stage management.

There have been announcements of new centres of excellence for training and software development. There were also announced existing capacity-building initiatives in law enforcement, financial markets, Technology, and space to support MGC partners' needs.

Significance of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation MGC

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation is a step in the right direction for India’s approach to its neighbours, based on the philosophy of ‘Neighborhood First.’ India’s Neighbourhood First policy aims to present itself to its neighbours as a country growing economically and strategically and eager to share its prosperity with them because India believes that a prosperous neighbour equals a prosperous and secure India.

The following are the significance of MGC for India:

• Connectivity to India’s North East region.
• Act East's strategy will benefit from a boost.
• China’s dominance may be successfully addressed by working together as a group.

India’s “Act East Policy,” which intends to boost economic cooperation with Southeast and East Asian nations, depends on the Mekong region. Through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration and Narrowing the Development Gap, India has prioritized economic engagement with MGC countries to develop seamless physical and digital connectivity and capacity building.

Mekong-Ganga Cooperation is connected to the accomplishment of India’s Act East policy, economic integration with the South East region, development of the North East, and advancement of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Conclusion

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation is built on the six countries’ shared geographical, historical, and civilizational linkages. It seeks to foster connection in the region in its broadest meaning, including physical connectivity and digital, economic, and people-to-people connectedness. This longest sub-regional cooperation is a celebration of our long and rich history of economic, cultural, and people-to-people interactions, as well as a vehicle for advancing modern-day collaboration to bring growth and prosperity to our people.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Strategic Importance: The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) enhances India's strategic and diplomatic ties with Southeast Asian nations. It serves as a crucial instrument in India's Act East Policy and strengthens India's presence in a region of significant geopolitical interest. Cultural and Civilizational Links: MGC underscores the historical and cultural ties between India and the Mekong countries. It fosters people-to-people connectivity and promotes shared heritage through cultural exchanges and preservation projects. Connectivity and Infrastructure Development: A key focus of MGC is on improving physical and digital connectivity. This includes developing transportation corridors, improving road and rail connectivity, and enhancing digital infrastructure to facilitate smoother trade and travel. Economic and Trade Collaboration: The MGC aims to boost trade and investment between member countries by harmonizing policies, creating business forums, and supporting SMEs. It thereby increases market access and fosters economic growth in the region. Tourism and Sustainable Development: Joint efforts to promote tourism include creating shared tourist circuits and marketing campaigns, with an emphasis on sustainable tourism practices. This helps ensure the preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites for long-term environmental and economic benefits. Educational and Research Exchanges: The MGC promotes academic and educational collaboration through student and faculty exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and capacity-building workshops. This is particularly true in areas such as public administration, agriculture, and technology. Health and Pandemic Preparedness: In light of recent global health challenges, MGC has prioritized public health cooperation by sharing best practices in disease surveillance, pandemic response, and developing healthcare infrastructure and capabilities. Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action: Addressing environmental concerns, MGC engages in projects aimed at climate change mitigation, renewable energy adoption, and biodiversity conservation. It has a focus on sustaining the ecological health of the Mekong and Ganga river basins. Institutional Mechanisms and Coordination: MGC has established robust institutional mechanisms to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of its initiatives. It conducts regular Ministerial and Senior Officials' Meetings ensuring that projects are on track and emerging challenges are addressed. Enhanced Regional Cooperation: MGC exemplifies a model of regional cooperation that not only benefits the participating nations. It also contributes to regional stability and prosperity, promoting collective growth and development.

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