Columbo Security Conclave

Recently, India hosted the 7th National Security Advisor-level Summit of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

About Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)

• Regional Security Grouping: The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is a regional security grouping for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 
  • It functions like a “Neighborhood Watch System,” enabling member states to ensure collective security and alert one another to suspicious activities.
• Formation (2011): Began as a Trilateral grouping of India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.
• Stagnation: Became dormant due to political instability in the Maldives and strained India–Maldives relations.
• Revival (2020): India revived the platform and renamed it the Colombo Security Conclave.
• Expansion: Mauritius joined as a full-time member in 2022, followed by Bangladesh in 2024.
• Current Membership:  India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Seychelles.

Significance of CSC

• Focus Areas: The Conclave focuses on Five Core Pillars of Cooperation plus a distinct area for environmental security (Marine Pollution Response).
  • Maritime Safety & Security
  • Countering Terrorism & Radicalisation
  • Combating Trafficking & Transnational Crime
  • Cyber Security & Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR)
  • Marine Pollution Response
• Development: For smaller IOR nations like Sri Lanka and Maldives, security is deeply linked to development because their economies rely heavily on the sea through tourism and fisheries. 
  • CSC’s objectives align with India’s SAGAR Doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

 Recent Developments

• Meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs): At the November 20, 2025 meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs), three major developments took place:
• Seychelles’ Entry: Seychelles joined as a full-time member, expanding CSC’s reach into the Western Indian Ocean.
• Malaysia as Guest: Malaysia was invited as a guest state, a strategic win for India given its proximity to the Strait of Malacca, a key Chinese oil transit route.
  

India and CSC

• Net Security Provider: India seeks to position itself as the Net Security Provider of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), using the CSC as its primary platform to build this leadership.

Challenges faced by CSC

• Weak Institutional Framework: It functions mainly at the NSA level.
  • CSC has a secretariat (Colombo, 2022), but it still lacks permanent staffing, budget autonomy, and ministerial-level institutionalisation.
• Domestic Uncertainties: Political instability and regime changes (e.g., Sri Lanka’s 2022 crisis or political shifts in Bangladesh) can alter foreign policy alignments and disrupt the group.
• Coordination Issues: Achieving operational synergy among the different navies and agencies of member states remains difficult.
• Divergence on China: 
  • India’s Position: India views China as a threat (citing the deployment of spy ships like the Yuan Wang 5 and warships) and wishes to use the CSC to focus on security measures against Chinese intrusion in the IOR.
  • Neighbours’ Position: Countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh do not view China as a threat, but rather as a crucial development partner and a source of loans for infrastructure like ports.
  • Strategic Context: Both India and China are aware of the strategic thinker Alfred Mahan’s observation that dominating the Indian Ocean leads to dominating Asia, driving the struggle for dominance in the IOR, which India considers its backyard.

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Way Forward

• Smart Diplomacy on China: India must use smart diplomacy concerning China, as members will not openly align against their financial partner
• Broaden Agenda Beyond Terrorism: CSC should expand its focus to include economic cooperation alongside security concerns.
• Institutionalize the Conclave: There is a need to move from discussions to action by establishing a permanent secretariat and dedicated implementation staff.

Conclusion

The CSC enables India to convert its geographical position into strategic leverage, fostering IOR security, development, and cooperation, while institutionalisation and smart diplomacy in China strengthen its role as the Net Security Provider.