International Relations
SCO ‘Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)’ Meeting
- 21 May 2022
- 4 min read
For Prelims: SCO, RATS, Council of RATS-SCO
For Mains: Diplomatic and Economic relations of India with SCO, Bilateral relations of India with SCO member nations
Why in News?
Recently, a meeting held between the member nations of the SCO under the framework of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). It is the first such meeting in India since Russia’s evasion of Ukraine and China’s transgression along the Line of actual control.
- SCO-RATS meeting agenda is to boost cooperation in fighting different global and regional security challenges.
- India has chaired the Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO (RATS SCO).
What is the Agenda Discussed in the Meeting?
- Situation of Afghanistan and security concerns raised due to the fall of Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban was the main agenda of the meeting.
- India has expressed a strong desire to strengthen its security cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, which focus on security and defence matters.
What is Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure-SCO?
- SCO-RATS is a permanent body of the Sanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
- It is promoting coordination and interaction between the SCO member states as per as fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism are concern.
- The main functions of SCO-RATS are 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.
What is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization?
- About:
- SCO was created in 2001.
- 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.
- Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.
- 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 organization 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.
- Member Nations: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan.
- Recently, Iran’s bid to become a full member of the SCO has been approved.
