Indian delegation holds talks at SCO RATS Executive Committee

The sides exchanged opinion on directions of further deepening practical cooperation between competent bodies of India, responsible for combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and the SCO RATS.

The director of SCO RATS Executive Committee Zhang Xinfeng underlined important role of the visit of the Indian delegation to boost working contacts between the SCO RATS and Indian competent bodies in fighting new challenges and threats to international and regional security.

Zhang Xinfeng informed the delegation on the results of the first scientific-practical conference on cooperation in fighting international terrorism and extremism among the SCO member states and observer states, which was held in Tashkent in October 2013.

It was underlined that for last ten years, since operation of the SCO RATS Executive Committee, firm legal base for fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism was created and the SCO member states achieved some success in ensuring stability in the SCO area.

India Navtej Singh Sarna underlined that the SCO is a key factor for ensuring security in the region and India as on observer country in the SCO actively participates in its events.

He said that India is interested in establishing of cooperation with the SCO RATS and invited its director to visit Delhi with a working visit.

Zhang Xinfeng expressed gratitude for the invitation and expressed his assistance that the current visit will help to reach agreements on practical interaction of the SCO RATS with Indian anti-terrorism bodies. He also expressed hope that the protocol of intentions between the SCO RATS and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India will be signed soon. The document is currently considered by the SCO member states and the process will be completed soon.

At the meeting, the sides also exchanged opinion on terrorism, extremism and other threats to the security of the SCO member states and observer countries in context of growth of activities of international terrorism organizations and withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan in 2014.