Pakistan has been invited to the closing ceremony of the ongoing Joint Anti-Terror Exercise (JATE) within the ambit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) being hosted by India.

What is the news?

• The National Security Guard (NSG) is hosting the multinational JATE “Manesar Anti-Terror 2022”, under the framework of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
• Pakistan team would be participating in the event as a member of the SCO.

What is SCO RATS?

• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism.
• It is headquartered in Tashkent.
• Its head is elected to three-year term.
• Each member state of SCO sends permanent representative to RATS

About Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO)

• The SCO, in which China plays an influential role, is also comprised of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.
• India and Pakistan were admitted into the bloc in 2017.
• It is Eurasian economic, political and security organisation headquartered in Beijing, China.
• Its main objective is military cooperation between member states.
• It is primarily centred on security-related concerns of Central Asian members with main threats being terrorism, separatism and extremism.
• It was established in June 2001 as a successor of Shanghai Five mechanism which was established in 1996 with China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan as members.
• Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia enjoy observer status of SCO.
• Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Nepal are dialogue partners of SCO.

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