Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India has been a full member since 2017.
Written by Pratidin; every fact checked by a separate review before publishing. How we work
Its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure is in Tashkent; the secretariat is in Beijing.
Quick recall
- When was the SCO founded?
- 2001.
- Where is its secretariat?
- Beijing.
- When did India join?
- 2017, with Pakistan.
- What is RATS?
- The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, in Tashkent.
- What preceded the SCO?
- The Shanghai Five (1996).
- Which countries joined in 2023 and 2024?
- Iran (2023) and Belarus (2024).
Asked before in UPSC
Recurring theme: India's role in Eurasian regional groupings
India-China and India-Pakistan tensions inside the SCO are the conflicts this question expects you to address.
Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
Directly tests the SCO's charter goals and India's stakes since becoming a full member in 2017.
Tests India's membership status; India became a full SCO member in 2017.
The basics
Why it matters
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian security and economic grouping led by China and Russia. India joined as a full member in 2017, using it to engage Central Asia while keeping its differences with China and Pakistan.
How it evolved
Key milestones.
- 1996Shanghai Five formed
- 2001SCO founded
- 2017India and Pakistan join
- 2023Iran joins; India chairs
- 2024Belarus joins
You now know
- Founded in 2001 from the Shanghai Five; secretariat in Beijing.
- India and Pakistan became full members in 2017.
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is based in Tashkent.
- India held the chair in 2023.
Go deeper
In one line: The SCO lets India engage Russia, China and Central Asia on security and connectivity.
Why it matters for UPSC
India's multi-alignment is a GS2 theme.
The core idea
India uses the SCO for Central Asia outreach and counter-terrorism through Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, while opposing China's Belt and Road.
Where to go next
- Central Asia: India's extended neighbourhood
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure: The SCO's counter-terror body
In one line: India gains access and dialogue but faces China-Pakistan alignment inside the SCO.
India's stance
Refused to endorse BRI; pushes terrorism concerns. See Central Asia and Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
Where to go next
- Central Asia: India's extended neighbourhood
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure: The SCO's counter-terror body
Central Asia
India's extended neighbourhood
In one line: Central Asia includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Interests
Energy, uranium, connectivity via Chabahar and INSTC.
Forum
India-Central Asia Summit.
Where to go next
- Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure: The SCO's counter-terror body
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure
The SCO's counter-terror body
In one line: RATS is the SCO's permanent body for security cooperation, based in Tashkent.
Role
Information sharing on terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Where to go next
- Central Asia: India's extended neighbourhood
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure: every story that connects to it (3)
Prelims-style quiz
The SCO secretariat is in:
- Beijing
- Moscow
- Shanghai
- Tashkent
Show answer
Answer: (a) Beijing. Beijing; RATS is in Tashkent.
India became a full SCO member in:
- 2017
- 2001
- 2019
- 2015
Show answer
Answer: (a) 2017. 2017.
Consider the following:
1. The SCO grew out of the Shanghai Five.
2. RATS is based in Beijing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only. RATS is in Tashkent.
Which country joined the SCO in 2024?
- Iran
- Turkey
- Mongolia
- Belarus
Show answer
Answer: (d) Belarus. Belarus.