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Introduction

The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is a trilateral maritime security platform comprising India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. It aims to strengthen regional security, combat maritime crime, and enhance cooperative mechanisms in the Indian Ocean, advancing shared strategic interests and promoting stability in a complex geostrategic environment.

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India’s Leadership Advancing Maritime Security and Strategic Objectives

• Enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness: India leads information-sharing on piracy, illegal fishing, and trafficking to secure vital sea lanes.
  Eg: CSC coordinated exercises with Sri Lanka and Maldives to track suspicious vessels in 2023. 
• Anti-Piracy Operations: Joint patrols and coordinated responses improve safety for commercial and strategic maritime routes.
  Eg: Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha patrolled the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone in 2022 under CSC initiatives. 
• Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: CSC facilitates intelligence exchange to counter maritime terrorism and prevent transnational crimes.
• Strengthening Regional Influence: India’s proactive role ensures its strategic presence and influence in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Capacity Building of Partner Nations: India provides training, naval exercises, and technology support to strengthen partner maritime capabilities.

Key Challenges in Sustaining CSC Cooperation

• Divergent National Interests: Each country has unique strategic priorities, complicating consensus on joint actions.
• Resource Constraints: Smaller partners face limited naval and surveillance capabilities to fully implement CSC initiatives.
• Maritime Boundary Disputes: Overlapping EEZ claims and sovereignty sensitivities can delay joint operations.
• Dependence on Indian Leadership: Overreliance on India may limit autonomy of partner nations and strain relations.
• External Geopolitical Pressures: Rising Chinese and extra-regional presence challenges CSC cohesion and regional maritime dominance.
  Eg: Chinese naval visits to Maldives have occasionally complicated joint Indian Ocean patrols. 

Measures to Address Challenges

• Promote Shared Strategic Vision: Regular dialogues and workshops to harmonize national priorities.
• Capacity-Building Assistance: Provide vessels, training, and surveillance technology to smaller partners.
  Eg: India gifted coastal radar systems to Maldives and Sri Lanka in 2023. 
• Institutionalize Protocols for Joint Operations: Standard operating procedures reduce friction from differing sovereignty concerns.
• Engage in Multilateral Confidence-Building: Expand dialogue with other regional actors to reduce external pressures.
  Eg: India engages with IORA partners alongside CSC to foster trust and collaboration.
• Rotate Leadership and Responsibilities: Sharing leadership and operational roles increases inclusivity and partner ownership.

Conclusion

India’s leadership in the Colombo Security Conclave strengthens maritime security and strategic influence, but sustaining cooperation requires addressing partner capacity gaps, sovereignty sensitivities, and external pressures. Institutionalized protocols, capacity-building, and multilateral engagement are crucial for enduring regional stability.

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