The Colombo Security Conclave, a four year old regional security grouping, is all set to be revitalized with signing of founding documents for the establishment of the CSC Secretariat.
Signing Ceremony In Colombo
The Sri Lankan government hosted the Signing Ceremony in Colombo, on Friday.
The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the Member States.
Prominent Signatories
National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval signed the documents with Ibrahim Latheef, DC (Retd.), Lt. Col (Retd.), National Security Advisor of Maldives, Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to Sri Lanka and Sagala Ratnayake, National Security Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka.
Doval Explains CSC’s Role
The NSA emphasized the importance of the Colombo Security Conclave in addressing traditional, non-traditional, and emerging hybrid security challenges.
He highlighted the need for sustained regional cooperation across various security pillars
Pillars Of Cooperation
A joint Press statement on the CSC listed five pillars of cooperation.
These include Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime.
Apart from these, Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, are verticals of cooperation.
Discussion on Future Activities
The event concluded with a discussion among heads of delegation on the future activities of the Conclave.
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka tweeted, ‘A key platform to enhance regional security cooperation, the signing marks a milestone in the CSC roadmap.’
NSA Doval Also Met Sri Lankan President and PM
Doval met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, PM Dinesh Gunawardena, and other national security advisers, including Sri Lanka’s Sagala Ratnayaka and the Maldives’ Ibrahim Latheef.
During his meeting with PM Gunawardene in Colombo on August 29, Doval said that India wants to further enhance cooperation with Sri Lanka.
Gunawardene thanked India for supporting large and small- scale alternative energy projects, the Prime Minister’s Media Division said in a statement.
He thanked India for providing training to the armed forces and civil servants to enhance their skills and efficiency.
NSA’s Meeting With Presidential Aspirants And Politicians
The NSA also met Presidential aspirants three weeks before Sri Lanka’s Presidential election.
Doval interacted with Sri Lanka’s Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sajith Premadasa, Member of Parliament and Leader of National People’s Power Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
He also met political leaders and representatives from various political parties and regions.
Sagala Ratnayake Expresses Gratitude For Doval’s Visit
Sagala Ratnayaka said in an interview that it was a privilege to welcome NSA Ajit Doval to his residence for in-depth discussions on national security ahead of the conference.
He said, “Grateful for his visit and our shared commitment to regional peace and security.”
Indian And Sri Lankan Delegations
The NSA led a delegation, comprising High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Additional Secretary Puneet Agarwal besides Akshay Joshi, Gaurav Aluwahaliya and Teja Chandan,
Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, Additional Secretary Harsha Wijewardene and Advisor Sugiswara Senadheera also participated in the discussions.
When Bangladesh Joined CSC?
The Colombo Security Conclave officially welcomed Bangladesh as its fifth member state at the Deputy NSA level meeting hosted virtually by Mauritius in July this year.
The existing members – India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Maldives – warmly received Bangladesh into the fold.
Seychelles participated as an observer state.
How CSC Came Into Being?
The CSC was established in 2020.
India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives had then agreed to expand the scope of their trilateral meeting on maritime cooperation.
Significantly, Mauritius joined the conclave at the fifth meeting of the grouping in Male in March 2022.
Review Of Progress
Last month, member states reviewed the progress of activities outlined in the CSC’s Roadmap for 2023-’24.
They discussed decisions from previous Deputy NSA level meetings hosted by Maldives in July 2023 and by Mauritius last December.
NSA Ajit Doval represented India at the 6th National Security Adviser level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in Mauritius last December.
Apart from participants from Mauritius and Sri Lanka, delegates from Seychelles and Bangladesh had participated in this meeting.
