Context:
The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a regional maritime security framework in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), has regained strategic relevance amid evolving non-traditional security challenges and China’s expanding footprint in the region. The 7th National Security Advisor (NSA)-level meeting, hosted by India on November 20, 2025, marked a significant expansion and consolidation of the grouping.
Key Highlights:
Evolution and Structure of CSC
- Initiated in 2011 as a trilateral framework involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
- Lost momentum due to political transitions and divergent national priorities.
- Revived in 2020 to address emerging maritime and non-traditional security threats.
Membership Expansion
- Current members: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh.
- Seychelles joined as a full member in 2025, enhancing Western Indian Ocean outreach.
- Malaysia participated as a guest, indicating potential future expansion.
Focus Areas of Cooperation
- Maritime security and safe sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
- Counter-terrorism, human and drug trafficking, organized crime, and cybersecurity.
- Emphasis on non-traditional security threats, which directly affect economic development of littoral states.
Strategic Significance
- Indian Ocean states are highly dependent on maritime resources for trade, fisheries, energy, and tourism.
- India views CSC as a key instrument to strengthen regional engagement and counterbalance China’s growing strategic influence.
- Other members may prioritize developmental and cooperative security over direct geopolitical competition.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue & Causes:
- Rising non-traditional maritime threats, geopolitical competition in IOR, weak regional security institutions.
- Government Initiatives:
- CSC revival aligns with India’s SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
- Benefits:
- Enhanced information sharing, capacity building, and regional trust.
- Challenges:
- Divergent threat perceptions, domestic political instability in member states, limited institutionalization.
- Impact:
- Strengthens India’s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Key Facts & Concepts:
- Maritime Security: Protection of maritime trade, resources, and coastal stability.
- Non-Traditional Security: Piracy, trafficking, cyber threats, environmental risks.
- Regional Cooperation: Issue-based, flexible, and consensus-driven frameworks.
- Institutional Gaps:
- Need for a formal secretariat, regular joint exercises, and standardized operating procedures.
- Way Forward:
- Strengthen institutional mechanisms, enhance operational coordination, respect strategic autonomy of members, and align CSC with broader IOR architectures like IORA and QUAD initiatives.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 2: International Relations – Regional groupings, India’s neighborhood policy.
- GS 3: Internal Security – Maritime security, non-traditional threats.