Colombo Security Conclave: Doval calls for regional response to maritime challenges

What is the News?

The 5th Edition of Colombo Security Conclave(CSC) has started in Maldives.

The conclave was attended by National Security Advisors and representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Seychelles.

Note: Bangladesh and Seychelles attended as observers at this conclave meeting.

What is the Colombo Security Conclave?

India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka began a National Security Advisor (NSA)-level trilateral meeting on maritime security cooperation in 2011. 

Following a halt from 2014-2019, the trilateral meeting was resumed in 2020, when the decision was taken to establish the Colombo Security Conclave(CSC).

Aim of the Conclave: To forge closer cooperation on maritime and security matters among the three Indian Ocean countries.

Pillars of Cooperation: There are four pillars of security cooperation including marine security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism and cyber security.

Secretariat: Colombo, Sri Lanka.

What are the key takeaways from the fifth edition of Colombo Security Conclave?

Firstly, Mauritius was included as a new member of the conclave. 

Secondly, the pillar of cooperation of the conclave has been expanded to include Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief as the fifth pillar.

Source: This post is based on the article “Colombo Security Conclave: Doval calls for regional response to maritime challenges” published in The Hindu on 11th Mar 2022.