About Colombo Security Conclave (CSC):
- It is a regional security grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
- The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the member states.
- CSC brings together National Security Advisors (NSAs) and Deputy NSAs of the member countries.
- Origin:
- The CSC, initially known as the Trilateral for Maritime Security Cooperation, evolved out of trilateral meetings between NSAs and Deputy NSAs from India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, starting in 2011.
- It came to a standstill after 2014 due to rising tensions between India and the Maldives.
- After its revival and rebranding as the CSC in 2020, Mauritius joined the CSC in 2022, while Bangladesh joined in 2024.
- More recently, Seychelles has become the sixth member of the CSC.
- Cooperation under the conclave focuses on five pillars:
- Maritime safety and security.
- Countering terrorism and radicalisation.
- Combating trafficking and transnational organised crime.
- Cyber-security and protection of critical infrastructure.
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
- Permanent secretariat: Colombo.
