Colombo Security Conclave signs MoU to create permanent secretariat

In a path breaking move The Member States of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) on Friday signed the Charter and the MoU for the Establishment of the CSC Secretariat in the Sri Lankan capital eyeing to create stability in the Southern and Western Indian Ocean region amid growing strategic interests of big powers and terrorism in the region.

The Signing Ceremony was hosted in Colombo by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser, Lt. Col (Retd), Ibrahim Latheef, National Security Advisor of Maldives; Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of Mauritius to Sri Lanka and Sagala Ratnayake, National Security Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka signed the documents on behalf of the respective Member States.


The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the Member States, officials informed.

There are five pillars of cooperation under the CSC namely Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

The meet concluded with a discussion among heads of delegation on the next steps and the future activities of the Conclave.

Besides CSC engagements Doval also utilized the opportunity to meet stakeholders ahead of Sri Lankan Presidential elections in September including President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Stability in Sri Lanka is imperative for India's interests in the Indian Ocean Region.

Doval is of the opinion there is immense potential for India and Sri Lanka to further strengthen economic cooperation.

He referred to this when he called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Prime minister’s Office in Colombo on Thursday, according to a readout from the Lankan PM’s office. Doval said India wanted to further expand cooperation with Sri Lanka and sought the Prime Minister’s views on requirements for the island nation.

The Prime Minister said the energy sector is one area and thanked India for supporting the large scale and small-scale alternative energy projects. He said that the government has taken steps to amend the Ceylon Electricity Board regulations to facilitate private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution and Indian investments could be increased in solar and wind power projects.

Doval said in the long run Sri Lanka could generate more power than its domestic requirement and sell excess power to India and gain huge financial benefits, according to the readout. He pointed out that Bhutan is selling a large amount of hydro power generated electricity to India and it is the largest revenue of that country.

The Lankan Prime Minister said Sri Lanka’s Theravada economic policy is based on the economic practices in India 2500 years ago during the time of Gauthama Buddha and it would be complementary for economic growth.

He thanked India for providing training for Armed forces and the public servants to enhance their skills and efficiency.