• The International Grains Council is an intergovernmental organization established in 1949, originally aimed at promoting cooperation in the global grains trade. India is a member of the International Grains Council (IGC). Hence statement 1 is correct. • Being a member of the International Grains Council is not a requirement for a country to export or import rice and wheat. The IGC operates through a system of member states, currently comprising major grain- producing and consuming countries. These members collaborate through regular meetings and consultations, where they discuss market conditions, policy challenges, and potential areas for collective action. Hence statement 2 is not correct. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.