SCO’s ‘Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)’ Meeting

Recently, a meeting was held between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member nations under the framework of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS). 

Agenda – The situation of Afghanistan and security concerns raised due to the fall of Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban were the main agenda of the meeting. Counter-terror officials of India, Pakistan, Russia, China, and four Central Asian countries met. 

The SCO can play a crucial role in stabilizing Afghanistan, especially when there are serious concerns over the humanitarian crisis unfolding there. 

The SCO member states are Russia, China, India, Pakistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan is among the observer states of the SCO.

SCO-RATS – a permanent body of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The main functions are information sharing. Its aim is to enhance coordination and interaction among SCO member countries in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and separatism.

SCO – The organization aims to maintain stability in the region along with peace and security. For this reason, it is seen as a counterweight to NATO ( North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ). [ For the article on NATO – click here ]