- Defence Minister attended the joint meeting of the Defence Ministers of CIS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Moscow.
- Raksha Mantri has emphasised that, “Peaceful, stable and secure region of SCO member states –
- which is home to over 40 per cent of global population,
- demands a climate of trust and cooperation, non-aggression, respect for international rules and norms, sensitivity to each other’s interest and
- Peaceful resolution of differences in what is being seen as an indirect message to China.
- He also referred to the Second World War and said its memories teach the globe the “follies of aggression” of one state upon another that brings “destruction” to all.
- The defence minister’s remarks come in the backdrop of a tense border stand-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Line of Actual Control.
- Both India and China are members of the SCO, an eight-nation regional grouping which primarily focuses on issues relating to security and defence.
- Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in a bitter standoff in multiple places in eastern Ladakh for four months.
- Tensions flared up in the region after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian Territory in the southern bank of Pangong Lake recently.
- This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War as well as the formation of the United Nations which underpins a peaceful world, where international laws and sovereignty of states are respected and states refrain from unilateral aggression on another.
- He said India “unequivocally” condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, and condemns its “proponents”, adding New Delhi values the works of SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).
- Lauds recent work of RATS in the cyber domain to prevent the spread of radicalism and extremism.
- The adoption of anti-terror measures by the SCO Council to counter extremist propaganda and de-radicalisation is a significant decision.
- India was committed to the evolution of a global security architecture which will be “open, transparent, inclusive, rules-based and anchored in international laws.”
- He also expressed deep concern over the situation in the Persian Gulf region.
- The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism.
- The Head of RATS is elected to a three-year term. Each member state also sends a permanent representative to RATS.
- The official working languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are Chinese and Russian.
- At SCO summit, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 16–17 June 2004, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) was established.
- On 21 April 2006, the SCO announced plans to fight cross-border drug crimes under the counter-terrorism rubric.
