India hosts SCO joint anti-terror exercise

Tags: National Defence National News

India is currently hosting the multilateral counter-terrorism exercise 'Manesar Anti-Terrorism 2022' to be held from October 8 to 13.

Important facts

• It is organized under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).

• This is the Phase 2 of the exercise, "Phase-1 of the exercise was conducted from 27 July to 1 August by the National Anti-Terrorist Forces of the SCO member countries in their respective territories.

• Phase-2 of the Exercise is being conducted at NSG Manesar Garrison, in which eight representatives from National Counter Terrorism Forces of Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Uzbekistan, Russian Federation and NSG of Republic of India are participating. 

• The exercise is aimed at exchanging expertise, best practices and build synergy between the Counter Terrorism Forces of the SCO RATS Member Countries to enhance capabilities for conducting Anti-Terrorist operations and countering other security threats collectively.

Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS)

• The Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) is one of the permanent organs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

• SCO RATS aims to facilitate cooperation and coordination against terrorism, extremism and separatism.

• India assumed the chairmanship of the Council of SCO RATS in October 2021.

About SCO

• The SCO is an eight-member economic and security bloc in which India and Pakistan joined as full-time members in 2017.

• The founding members of this group include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.