Colombo Security Conclave members sign MoU to establish a Secretariat

The Member countries of the Colombo Security Conclave have agreed to institutionalise and give permanent status to the regional security platform of the Indian Ocean countries. The Colombo Security Conclave was set up in 2011 as an India-Sri Lanka-Maldives maritime security dialogue and renamed the Colombo Security Conclave in 2020. 

During the meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 30 August 2024, the member countries of the Colombo Security Conclave signed the charter, which outlines the Conclave's objectives, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing the Secretariat of the Colombo Security Conclave. 

The Colombo Security Conclave meeting is conducted at the national security advisor level of the member countries.

Who Signed the Charter?

The permanent members of the Colombo Security Conclave are India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius. 

Bangladesh was admitted as a member during the 8th Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), which was hosted by Mauritius virtually on 10 July 2024. 

Seychelles has an observer status in the Colombo Security Conclave.

All members were present and signed the Charter and MoU of the Colombo Security Conclave, except Bangladesh.

The Charter and the MoU were signed by the Indian National Security Advisor  Ajit Doval, Sagala Ratnayake, National Security Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka, Lt. Col (Retd.)  Ibrahim Latheef, National Security Advisor of Maldives, and Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to Sri Lanka, signed the documents on behalf of their country.

Five Pillars of Cooperation of the Colombo Security Conclave 

 During the meeting at Colombo, the member countries agreed on the main pillars of cooperation for the Conclave; 

• maritime safety and security; 
• countering terror and radicalisation; 
• combating trafficking and organised crime;
• protection of critical infrastructure, humanitarian assistance, cyber security, and 
• disaster relief.

The member countries also agreed to strengthen capacity through training courses, joint exercises, workshops, and skill development programs. They also agreed to promote close cooperation in the fields of oceanography, hydrography, maritime security, marine pollution, maritime law, marine archaeology, and protection of marine resources.