India hosts SCO joint anti-terror exercise to combat use of internet for terrorism & separatism

India on Friday hosted the competent authorities of the SCO member states, with the support of the Executive Committee (EC) of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), joint anti-terrorist exercise to identify and control the use of the internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes.

The objectives of the exercise were: - improving the mechanisms of interaction between the competent authorities of the SCO member states to identify and suppress the use of the Internet for terrorist, separatist and extremist purposes; - exchange of positive experience between the competent authorities of the SCO member states in collecting digital evidence; - exchange of positive experience between the competent authorities of the SCO member states in countering the use of digital assets for the purpose of financing terrorist, separatist and extremist activities; - increasing the level of interaction between the competent authorities of the SCO member states in countering cyber-attacks from terrorist, separatist and extremist organizations on the critical information infrastructure of the SCO member states, according to officials.

Summarizing the results of the exercise, the heads of delegations noted that the exercise was an important step aimed at integrating efforts and strengthening the SCO's anti-terrorist potential.


Earlier on Tuesday the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), organised Practical Seminar on “Countering the misuse of Internet and new information technologies for Terrorists, separatist and extremist purposes” for delegates from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States and representatives of EC RATS SCO.

This Practical Seminar is one of India’s initiatives started in 2019 under the framework of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorists Structure (RATS). This Practical Seminar is the 4th Edition which has been designed with a special focus on examining and deliberating on issues related to Misuse of Internet by Terrorists, Separatists and Extremists (TS&E).

The Seminar had various presentations from Member States of SCO which gave multi-dimensional perspective on addressing challenges from AI, Dark web & regulatory challenges, cryptocurrency and emerging technologies, countering the misuse of Internet by discussing on the roles of social media platforms and enhancing the law enforcement capabilities.

The SCO RATS Member States showed their keen interest in deepening cooperation amongst each other for countering the Misuse of the Internet by Terrorists, Separatists, and Extremists and issues related to Cyber Security, according to an official statement.