Why in News? 

Rajnath Singh attended the SCO Defence Ministers’ meet in China, urging united action against terrorism. It marked his first visit since Operation Sindoor. 

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 

Headquarters: Beijing, China 

Foundation: 2001 at the Shanghai Summit by China, Russia, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 

Membership 

• Total Members: 10 
  China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran (joined in 2023) and Belarus (joined in 2024). 
• Also includes 3 observer states and 6 dialogue partners. 

Organisational Structure 

• Council of Heads of States: Highest decision-making body 
• Council of Heads of Governments: Second-highest decision body 
• Permanent Bodies 
  • The Secretariat (Beijing, China) 
  • Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan