Colombo Security Conclave holds its 7th Deputy NSA level meeting

The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) held its 7th Deputy NSA level meeting in Maldives on Wednesday (July 12, 2023). CSC Members India, Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka were hosted virtually. Bangladesh and Seychelles were Observer states.

The 5th NSA level meeting was held on March 9-10, 2022, and the 6th Deputy NSA level meeting on July 7, 2022. In the latest meeting, member states discussed the decisions taken at these meetings, along with the progress of activities under the different pillars of cooperation.

The pillars of cooperation are: * Maritime Safety and Security * Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation * Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime * Cyber Security * Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology * Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

They also deliberated on new proposals for activities in 2023-24.

The Indian delegation was led by Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri. The Maldives delegation was led by Aishath Nooshin Waheed, the Security of the NSA Office of the Republic of Maldives. The Mauritian delegation was led by Yoidhisteer Thecka, Principal Coordinator Security Matters, of the Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Mauritius. Delegation of Sri Lanka was led by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

In 2022, India hosted the First CDC Oceanographers and Hydrographers Conference, where the attendees shared knowledge and policies to address the regional challenges to the Oceans. India also hosted the CSC Coastal Security Conference to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the Coast Guards of Member and Observer states in ensuring territorial security.

As an outcome of this conference, scientists from Bangladesh and Mauritius embarked onboard India’s research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’ onJune 29, 2023 to participate in a joint ocean expedition spanning nearly 35 days.

Moreover, India also hosted the third edition of the Maritime Law Workshop. India has also hosted a number of training programmes for the investigation of terrorism cases, countering trafficking and organised crime.

The 6th NSA level meeting will be held in Mauritius in October 2023. The 8th Deputy NSA meeting will be held in the first quarter of 2024.