2024-09-03 17:45:33
Colombo: Under the leadership of Mohammad Muizzu, Maldives took a big strategic U-turn and attended the Colombo Security Conference on 30 September. This conference is organized every year to counter various threats in the Indian Ocean region. The National Security Advisors (NSA) of the countries of the Indian Ocean region participate in it. This time, apart from India, Mauritius and Sri Lanka participated in the Colombo Security Conference. However, Bangladesh, which is facing political upheaval, did not participate in this conference.
Who all attended the Colombo Security Conference
The Charter and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the Colombo Security Conference (CSC) were signed by Sri Lankan President’s NSA Sagala Ratnayaka, Maldives’ NSA Ibrahim Latheef, Mauritius’ High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Hemandoyal Dilim and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s NSA Ajit Doval. Bangladesh did not attend the conference as an observer, but Seychelles did.
What is the objective of Colombo Security Conference
The key objectives of the Colombo Security Conference include maritime security and safety; countering terrorism and radicalisation; combating smuggling and organised crime, cyber security, protection of critical infrastructure, humanitarian assistance; and disaster relief. In addition, the Colombo Security Conference will strengthen coordination to combat transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking.
Preparations to deal with terrorism and extremism too
The key Indian Ocean countries will share information related to terrorism, radicalisation, violent extremism, cyber security threats, transnational criminal networks and national and international law enforcement. The Colombo Security Conference will also strengthen capacity building among partners through training courses, joint exercises, workshops and skill development programmes. Member countries will also cooperate closely in the areas of oceanography, hydrology, maritime security, marine pollution, maritime law, marine archaeology and protection of marine resources.
The secretariat of this security conference will be in Colombo
The secretariat of the Colombo Security Conference will be based in Colombo and its secretary-general will act as the convener of the crucial security group. The CSC has key members from the Indian Ocean region but will also enhance maritime security among member countries as the Modi government is committed to assisting the other three countries in capacity building without any political interference. With Maldives joining the security initiative, President Mohamed Muizzu has indicated that he wants cooperation with India rather than any power outside the IOR.