Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)

03.12.2025

Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)

Context

The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) has emerged as a pivotal topic in international relations, particularly due to its recent expansion. It represents a critical framework for regional security and strategic cooperation within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

About the Initiative

Origin and Revival:

• Inception (2011): It began as a Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
• Revival (2020): After a period of dormancy caused by geopolitical tensions, the grouping was revived and rebranded in 2020 to address emerging security challenges.

Mechanism:

• The conclave operates at the highest level of security leadership, with National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the member countries holding regular meetings to align policies and strategies.

Membership Evolution

The grouping has expanded from a trilateral arrangement to a six-member bloc:

• Founding Members (2011): India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
• Expansion Phase:
  • Mauritius: Joined in 2022.
  • Bangladesh: Officially joined in 2024.
  • Seychelles: The most recent addition, joining in 2025.

Key Areas of Cooperation

The CSC focuses on five distinct pillars to ensure comprehensive security:

1. Maritime Safety and Security: Protecting sea lanes and ensuring freedom of navigation.
2. Countering Terrorism and Radicalization: Sharing intelligence to prevent extremist activities.
3. Combating Transnational Crime: Tackling issues like narcotics trafficking and human smuggling.
4. Cyber Security: Protecting critical infrastructure and digital networks.
5. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Coordinating responses to natural disasters.

Strategic Significance

Geopolitical Balance:

• A primary strategic goal of the CSC is to consolidate India's leadership in the region and counterbalance China’s growing naval presence and political influence in the Indian Ocean.

Economic Security:

• Trade Routes: The IOR is a global economic artery; securing these waters is vital for the uninterrupted flow of global trade.
• Resource Management: The region holds vast unexploited marine resources (fishing and minerals). Collaborative management prevents exploitation by extra-regional powers.

Historical Context:

• The strategic value of controlling key island nations in the Indian Ocean was established during World War II, a concept that remains relevant today for maintaining regional stability.

Conclusion

The Colombo Security Conclave has evolved from a limited trilateral discussion into a robust regional security architecture. With the recent induction of Seychelles, the CSC strengthens the "security grid" across the Indian Ocean, promoting a collective response to both traditional military threats and non-traditional challenges like climate disasters and cyber-attacks.