Maldives joins India in Colombo Security Conclave, Dhaka stays away | Latest News India

New Delhi: In a strategic shift, Mohamed Muizzu, led by the Maldives, on September 30 joined hands with Mauritius, Sri Lanka and India for a regional maritime security architecture at the level of National Security Advisor to counter a range of threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Charter and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed by Sagala Ratnayaka, NSA to the President of Sri Lanka, Ibrahim Latheef, NSA to the Maldives, Haymandoyal Dillim, High Commissioner to Mauritius of Sri Lanka and Ajit Doval, NSA to the Prime Minister of India. Observer Bangladesh was not present at the conclave, but Seychelles was.

The agreed ‘pillars of cooperation’ for the CSC are: maritime safety and security; counter-terrorism and radicalisation; combating human trafficking and organised crime, cybersecurity, protection of critical infrastructure, humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

In addition, the CSC will strengthen coordination in combating transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking. Key IOR states will share information related to counter-terrorism, radicalization, violent extremism, cybersecurity threats and transnational criminal networks, and the applicability of national and international law.

The CSC will also strengthen capacity building among partners through training courses, joint exercises, workshops and skills development programmes. Member States will also work closely together in the areas of oceanography, hydrography, maritime safety, marine pollution, maritime law, marine archaeology and protection of marine resources.

It is clear that the CSC architecture calls for consensus on all future movements and members, as well as dialogue between NSAs and Deputy NSAs through institutionalized mechanisms and working groups. The CSC Secretariat will be based in Colombo with a Secretary General acting as convener of the key security grouping.

While the CSC has key members from the Indian Ocean region, it will also enhance maritime security among member states, with the Narendra Modi government committed to supporting the other three countries in capacity building without any political interference. With the Maldives joining the security initiative, President Mohamed Muizzu has signaled that he seeks cooperation with India rather than with a power outside the IOR.