REGIONAL ANTI-TERRORIST STRUCTURE OF SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION

Recently, 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.

Important points:

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.

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 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 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.

Way Forward

Improving Connectivity With Central Asia: The opening of Chabahar port and India’s entry into the Ashgabat agreement should be utilized for a stronger presence in Eurasia.
Besides this, a clear focus on operationalising International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Improving Relations With China: It is imperative that India and China set up a modus vivendi (agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully) for the 21st century to be viewed through the lens of an Asia century.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT

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