The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) recently held the 19th meeting of the secretaries of the security council in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval addressed the conference and highlighted some key issues, including terrorism.
About the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- It is a regional organisation that was established to discuss and resolve political, economic, international security, and defence matters in Eurasia. It is the world’s largest regional group in terms of geographical extension and population coverage, representing around 40% of the world’s population. It was established in 2001 by China and Russia.
- Shanghai Five, which was established in 1996, was the predecessor of the SCO. It was a group of five countries- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.
- Over the years, the SCO gave memberships to new countries. Currently, it has nine members. India became a member of the SCO in 2017. The other members are Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The newest member is Iran.
- Several other countries are observers and dialogue partners of the organisation.
- Its headquarters is located in Beijing, China.
- The SCO provides a great opportunity for its members to strengthen political as well as economic ties with one another.
About the National Security Council (NSC)
- Established in 1998, the National Security Council (NSC) of India is a government body which deliberates on all aspects of national security and advises the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on various matters, including internal and external threats and strategic interests.
- The National Security Advisor (NSA) is the senior most official of the NSC and serves as the chief advisor to the Prime Minister of India on matters related to national security and international affairs. The NSA serves at the discretion of the Prime Minister.
- Brajesh Mishra was the first NSA in the country.
