India, along with Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Mauritius, signed the Charter and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday to officially establish the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Secretariat. National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, along with representatives from the three other countries, participated in the signing ceremony hosted by the Sri Lankan government in Colombo.
This significant event marks a major milestone in regional security cooperation among the four nations, as highlighted by the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka. Photos from the event were shared on X (formerly Twitter), with the commission stating, “NSA Ajit Doval KC joined representatives from the Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka in signing the Charter & MoU for the establishment of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Secretariat today. A key platform to enhance regional security cooperation, the signing marks a milestone in the CSC roadmap.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted, “The Member States of the Colombo Security Conclave signed the Charter and the MoU for the Establishment of the CSC Secretariat on August 30, 2024. The Signing Ceremony was hosted in Colombo by the Government of Sri Lanka.”
Signing on behalf of their respective nations were Ajit Doval, India’s NSA; Ibrahim Latheef, National Security Advisor of the Maldives; Haymandoyal Dillum, Mauritius’ High Commissioner to Sri Lanka; and Sagala Ratnayake, National Security Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka.
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The CSC aims to strengthen regional security through collaborative efforts to address shared transnational threats and challenges. The framework for cooperation is built around five core pillars:
– Maritime Safety and Security
– Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation
– Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime
– Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology
– Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
The event concluded with discussions among the heads of delegation about future steps and planned activities for the Conclave, reinforcing the commitment of the member states to work together on these pressing security issues.
