Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure
In one line: RATS is the SCO's permanent body for cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism, based in Tashkent.
The 'three evils'
At its founding in 2001 the SCO adopted the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, often called the fight against the "three evils". RATS is the body that turns this into practice: sharing information, maintaining databases and coordinating exercises among member states.
India's use of it
India joined RATS work when it became a full member in 2017. It uses SCO meetings to argue that there should be no "double standards" on terrorism and that states which shelter terrorists must be named. In Bishkek, Modi welcomed the new SCO centres on security threats, organised crime, information security and narcotics, and asked that they become tools for practical coordination and timely action.
Where to go next
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in the news
- Explained: First official Indian visit to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor 3 October 2026
The SCO's counter-terror arm and India's lever in the group
- At the SCO summit in Bishkek, Modi calls for dismantling the terror ecosystem 2 September 2026
the SCO's counter-terror arm and the 'three evils'
On the reference shelf
Previous-year questions on this
- 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks 'Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO' In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems.
- 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
- 2022 · Prelims Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. India is a member of which of the above?