Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS-SCO):
India assumed the Chairmanship of Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS-SCO) in 2021 for a period of one year.
- In pursuance of this, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in association with Data Security Council of India (DSCI), organized a Seminar on Securing Cyberspace in the Contemporary Threat Environment.
- SCO-RATS is a permanent body of the SCO and is intended to facilitate coordination and interaction between the SCO member states in the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism.
- The main functions of SCO-RATS are coordination and information sharing.
- As a member, India has actively participated in the activities of SCO-RATS.
- India’s permanent membership would enable it to generate greater understanding among members for its perspective.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO):
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established as a multilateral association to ensure security and maintain stability across the vast Eurasian region.
- It envisages joining forces to counteract emerging challenges and threats, and enhance trade, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation. It was created in 2001.
- Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai
- Shanghai Five (1996) emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.
- Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.
- The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003. The SCO’s official languages are Russian and Chinese.
- SCO has two Permanent Bodies:
- SCO Secretariat in Beijing,
- Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.
- The Chairmanship of SCO is by rotation for a year by Member States.
- India and Pakistan became members in 2017.
- Member countries: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran.
