EDEN IAS

Colombo Security Conclave

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS | COLOMBO SECURITY CONCLAVE | 30TH JUNE | PIB

SYLLABUS SECTION: GS II (BILATERAL RELATION)

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, Colombo Security Conclave Training Programme on Investigation of Terrorism-related cases was organized in New Delhi by the National Investigation Agency, in collaboration with the National Security Council Secretariat.

  • Participants from India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Seychelles participated in the training programme.

Background:

  • India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka had conducted a two-day maritime operation in the Indian Ocean region to keep it safe and secure including for international trade.
  • The maiden ‘Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Focused Operation’ is being attended by National Security Advisors and Representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh and Seychelles.
  • It aims to address the regional security challenges such as narco-trafficking, human trafficking, piracy, fisheries, counterterrorism and violent extremism.
  • Identified key areas of cooperation to enhance and strengthen regional security in the following five pillars:
  • Maritime Safety and Security;
  • Countering Terrorism and Radicalization;
  • Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime;
  • Cyber Security,
  • Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

COLOMBO SECURITY CONCLAVE

  • It is trilateral security framework between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
  • It is based on the four pillars security cooperation, covering marine safety and security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and cyber security.
  • ‘CSC Focused Operation’ was aimed at keeping the vital part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities.

WHY MARITIME SECURITY IT IS SIGNIFICANT?

  • There are maritime concerns ranging from piracy at sea to illegal immigration and weapon smuggling.
  • Threats of terrorist attacks and environmental catastrophes.
  • For India, maritime security is an important aspect of national security as it has a coastline of over 7,000 km.
  • India’s exports and imports have remained mostly across the shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean. Therefore, securing Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) have been an important issue for India in the 21st century.
  • Due to growing Chinese presence maritime security is also important for the India in the Indian Ocean Region.
SAGAR’ vision
  • It aims to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their maritime security capabilities.
  • The initiative focused on seven pillars of maritime security – Maritime Ecology, Maritime Resources, Capacity Building and Resource Sharing, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation and Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport.

Source: PIB