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Context:

India, Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka have signed a Charter and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

About Colombo Security Conclave

• It is a regional security initiative that brings together India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius to discuss common safety concerns in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).
• It was established in 2011 as a trilateral maritime security group comprising India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
  • • It was reactivated in 2020 and has since grown in membership and scope.
    • Mauritius joined as the 4th member in 2022.
    • Bangladesh and Seychelles joined the group as observer nations.
• In September 2024, Bangladesh did not attend the conclave.

Key objectives

• The CSC aims to strengthen regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges.
• Core objectives:
  • • Ensuring the safety of maritime navigation and safeguarding sea passage from risks like piracy and illegal fishing.
    • Working together to combat terrorism and prevent radicalization through intelligence sharing and cooperative actions.
    • Disrupting drugs, arms and people trafficking networks through coordinated actions.
    • Improving cyber surveillance and defending essential infrastructure against cyber threats.
    • Strengthening disaster response and humanitarian aid during times of need.

Significance of the conclave

• It will lead to more coordinated efforts among Member States, and improve their collective ability to address regional security threats.
• By addressing issues such as trafficking and terrorism, CEC aims to contribute to greater stability in the Indian Ocean region.

Source:

Hindustan Times

Observer Research Foundation

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