Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Introduction
- India hosted the 7th NSA-level Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Summit on 20 November 2025, attended by Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh, with Seychelles as a new full member and Malaysia as guest.
- CSC aims to promote regional security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), especially on maritime security, counterterrorism, trafficking, organised crime, and cybersecurity.
Evolution of CSC
- Initially a 2011 trilateral mechanism (India–Sri Lanka–Maldives), it lost momentum due to political transitions and lack of convergence on priorities.
- Revived in 2020 with a broader mandate and formal structure.
- Mauritius (2022) and Bangladesh (2024) joined, signalling growing regional acceptance of CSC as a cooperative platform.
Strategic Context
- Summit held during major shifts in Indo-Pacific maritime security frameworks and a fragmented IOR security architecture.
- CSC’s focus on non-traditional maritime challenges is crucial as littoral economies depend heavily on marine resources.
- Maritime threats overlap with development priorities, affecting livelihoods, food security, and economic sustainability.
Significance of the 2025 Summit
- Seychelles’ accession marks further institutional consolidation and regional commitment.
- CSC enhances India’s engagement with maritime neighbours amid China’s growing IOR footprint.
- Inclusion of Malaysia may pave the way for future expansion.
- Highlights increasing importance of the security dimension in regional cooperation.
Key Challenges
- Divergent perceptions of China: India views Chinese presence as a security challenge, while other CSC members depend on China for development.
- Lack of institutionalisation; CSC currently operates only at NSA-level, requiring stronger, permanent mechanisms.
- Domestic political uncertainties, especially in Bangladesh, may weaken cohesion and continuity.
Way Forward
- CSC should adopt a robust institutional framework ensuring consistent cooperation, joint planning, and operational coordination.
- India must balance security concerns with members’ development priorities to maintain group cohesion.
Strengthening CSC’s resilience will help build a cooperative, stable, and secure Indian Ocean architecture.