The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) recently convened a National Security Advisers’ meeting in Sri Lanka, where a charter and memorandum of understanding (MoU) were signed to establish a secretariat for the organization. Originating from an annual trilateral defense dialogue among India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, the CSC was formalized in November 2020, expanding to include Mauritius as a member while Seychelles participated as an observer. The meeting in August 2023 included representatives from the four core member nations, although Bangladesh, which joined in July 2024, was absent.
The CSC is part of a broader regional security framework in the Indian Ocean that includes organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium. Designed to enhance regional cooperation, the CSC focuses on securing maritime safety, countering terrorism, combating trafficking and organized crime, improving cybersecurity, and ensuring humanitarian assistance during disasters. Ongoing tabletop exercises enhance interoperability among armed forces of member countries.
Given the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean—home to vital maritime trade routes—collaboration among these nations addresses common security threats, including terrorism and piracy. The region is crucial for about two-thirds of the world’s oil shipments and half of its container traffic. India, which maintains historically strong ties with its maritime neighbors, plays a significant role in enhancing cooperative security measures. For instance, Mauritius has appointed an Indian as its security adviser, and both Mauritius and Seychelles have Indian Navy officers advising on maritime security.
The involvement of countries like Bangladesh, while promising, reflects the growing complexity of regional security, especially in light of China’s expanding naval presence in the Indian Ocean. India’s policy, termed “Security and Growth for All in the Region,” aims to consolidate relationships with Indian Ocean countries as rising great power competition transforms the strategic landscape.
Recent piracy incidents, including an attack on a Bangladeshi ship, underline the relevance of CSC’s security frameworks as member nations collaborate on anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations. Enhanced maritime domain awareness and information sharing agreements, like those between India and Seychelles, are part of cooperative frameworks that also encompass humanitarian relief efforts, a critical hallmark of regional solidarity, particularly highlighted during the 2004 tsunami.
India’s active participation in the CSC sets the stage for stronger multilateral security architectures in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing shared challenges and cooperative responses against piracy and regional instability. The conclave’s ongoing developments indicate its potential as a pivotal platform for maritime security cooperation among Indian Ocean littorals, aligning economic interests with collective security needs amidst evolving geopolitical challenges.
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