How effective has the SCO been in addressing the 'three evils' of terrorism, separatism and extremism? Suggest how India can leverage RATS.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (2001) was founded mainly to counter the "three evils". RATS in Tashkent is one of its only two permanent bodies [1]. The SCO is good at building institutions, but it struggles to hold anyone accountable.

Effectiveness: Achievements

• Institutional anchor: RATS is a standing counter-terror platform for ten members, including Russia, China and the Central Asian Republics [1].
• Widening mandate: At Tianjin (2025), members agreed to set up an SCO Universal Center for Countering Security Challenges and Threats and an Anti-Drug Center. These cover organised crime, cyber threats and narcotics [1].
• Shared norms: Under India's chairmanship, the Heads of State adopted a joint statement on countering radicalisation [2].
• Summit solidarity: At Tianjin, the PM thanked members for their "strong solidarity" after the Pahalgam attack [4].

Effectiveness: Limitations

• Consensus veto: At the Qingdao Defence Ministers' Meeting (2025), the text left out India's mention of Pahalgam. The omission was raised in Parliament [3].
• Sponsor inside the room: Pakistan is a full member and close to China. This makes it hard for RATS to name state sponsorship [1][2].
• Ministerial vs summit gap: A single objection can block the text of a sectoral meeting. India does better at the leaders' level [3][4].

Verdict: The SCO works well for dialogue and institution-building. It works poorly as a mechanism for accountability.

Leveraging RATS: Way Forward for India

• Use India's designated RATS post to push structured intelligence-sharing on cross-border terror networks [1].
• Accountability agenda: Keep pressing for action against those who plan, fund and sponsor terrorism, building on the message that terror epicentres are "no longer immune" [2][5].
• Narco-terror and cyber linkages: Shape the new Tianjin centres, using India's 5.9% budget share as a voice when they are funded [1].
• Drafting during chairmanship: Repeat the radicalisation-statement model and lock in India's wording when it holds the chair [2].
• Central Asian coalition: Build on sideline meetings, such as those with the Tajik and Kazakh Defence Ministers, to win support before meetings [6].
• Capacity building: Offer RATS partners training in counter-terror financing and online de-radicalisation.

The SCO has built the machinery to fight the three evils but not the consensus to name their sponsors. By working through RATS, the new Tianjin centres and summit diplomacy, India can turn the forum into a tool for its zero-tolerance stance. This is in keeping with the "Security" pillar of its SECURE vision for the SCO [1].