Counter-terror officials of Pakistan, Russia, China and four Central Asian countries met in Delhi on Monday at the start of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Regional Anti Terror Structure (SCO-RATS) talks, the first such event in India since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s transgressions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The meeting, which was closed off to the press, is one of a number of events planned this year as India assumed its role as Chairperson of the SCO-RATS mechanism.
In October this year, all member countries will send security force personnel for joint anti-terror exercises expected to be held at the NSG facility in Manesar. While India and Pakistan have close to no bilateral engagement, both countries make a point of attending the 9-nation SCO meetings, and last year India had sent a delegation to Pakistan to take part in last year’s edition of the SCO-RATS exercises. And all eyes will be on 2023, when India is due to host the SCO summit, which could see leaders of Pakistan and China participate, despite the tensions in bilateral ties.
