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Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)- Relevance for UPSC Exam
- GS Paper 2: International Relations- India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in news
- Recently, the fifth National Security Advisor (NSA)s’ meet of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) was organized in the Maldives.
Key Facts about Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
- About: Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) was formed in 2011 as a trilateral maritime security grouping of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
- Mauritius was welcomed as the fourth member at the fifth NSA’s meet of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).
- Colombo Security Conclave Member Countries: Presently, it consists of four countries- India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius.
- Observers Countries: Bangladesh and Seychelles participated as observer countries in the Colombo Security Conclave.
- Mandate: Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) aims to increase the security cooperation, covering maritime safety and security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism and cyber security.
- Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Secretariat: A permanent CSC Secretariat is established in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- CSC Secretariat is responsible for coordinating all the activities of the CSC along with the implementation of the decisions taken at the NSA level.
Integrity Pact in India: CVC revises SOP for its implementation
Fifth Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
- Inclusion of Fourth Member: Mauritius was included as the fourth member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).
- Invitation to other Countries: Bangladesh and Seychelles attended the fifth NSA’s meet of CSC as observers, and have been invited to join the group.
- Indian Proposals: Indian National Security Adviser called for-
- The institutionalization of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
- The heads of the Coast Guards of the four-member countries meet to discuss ways to address shared maritime security challenges, and
- The formation of joint working groups to tackle drug trafficking and transnational organised crimes.
- Identification of Five Broad Areas for Cooperation: The fifth Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) identified five broad areas of cooperation to strengthen regional safety and security. These are-
- Maritime Safety and Security
- Countering Terrorism and Radicalization
- Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime
- Cyber Security, Protection of Critical Infrastructure, and Technology
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
Significance of Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
- Promoting Regional Cooperation: The Delhi-driven “minilateral” is being seen as India’s outreach to the Indian Ocean to underline regional cooperation and shared security objectives.
- Countering Chinese Influence: The CSC hopes to-
- Restrict China’s influence in an area of strategic importance, and
- Reduce the Chinese footprint in the member countries, including the new and proposed additions.
- Avoid Conflict: Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) will provide a cooperation platform to avoid conflict and ensure security and stability both inside and outside our borders.
- Crisis Management: Geographical proximity of CSC countries allows them to be first responders to each other in crisis situations.
- For example, the MT New Diamond and X-press Pearl ship fires in Sri Lankan waters that the Indian Coast Guard helped douse.