Colombo Security Conclave

    0
    688

    In News

     Recently, the Deputy National Security Advisor (Deputy-NSA) level talk also known as ‘Colombo Security Conclave’ was concluded between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

    • The meeting was hosted by Sri Lanka.

    About Colombo Security Conclave

    • Aim: To “further promote” maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
    • Initiated by: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2011.
      • At that time, he was Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
    • Significance
      • The current geostrategic dynamic that India shares with Sri Lanka and the Maldives is not very favourable to India.
      • The initiative is grounded in military and security collaboration with 2 Indian Neighbours i.e. Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
      • Earlier this year, India aired security concerns over China being awarded development projects on an island off Sri Lanka’s northern province. 
        • The project was very close to India’s southern border.

    Key Outcomes from the Meeting

    • Intelligence sharing:
      • This discussion furthered the idea of intelligence sharing discussed at NSA-level trilateral talks on maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
        • The NSA level trilateral talk happened 9 months ago.
        • NSA level trilateral talk was revived after a gap of 6 years (Possible reason behind such a long gap may be Chinese Influence).
    •  “4 pillars” of cooperation:
      •  All the three nations have agreed to work on “4 pillars” of 
        • Security cooperation including areas of Marine security
        • Human trafficking and Organised Crime, 
        • Counter-terrorism and Radicalisation, and 
        • Cybersecurity.
    • Joint Exercises and Training in areas of cooperation mentioned above will also take place.

    India-Maldives Relations

    • Engagement with QUAD (India, Japan, Australia and US)
      • Maldivian engagement with the ‘Quad’, has been growing over the last year, especially in the area of defence cooperation.
      • The Ibrahim Mohamed Solih government signed a ‘Framework for a Defence and Security Relationship’ agreement with the United States last year
        • It was welcomed by India.
      • In 2020, the Maldives also received a Japanese grant for the Maldivian Coast Guard and a Maritime Rescue and Coordination Center. 
    • Further recent External Affairs Minister’s visit culminated into following
      • Defence Line of Credit from India: 
        • India extended the Defence line of Credit worth $50 million to upgrade Maldives Maritime Capability.
      • Assistance to Build Dockyards:
        • A dockyard will be developed at the Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) Naval Base with Indian assistance.
      • Anti Terror Plan via Joint Working Group:
        • Joint working group will work to counter-terrorism and violent extremism and de-radicalisation programmes.
      • Multiple Infrastructure Projects are supported by India
        • For Example: National College of Policing and Law Enforcement Studies
      • UNSC Reforms
        • Maldives promised India two things
          • Collaboration on International Platforms
          • Support for permanent membership of India at UN Security Council
        • India has also extended support for the candidature of the Maldives for the Presidency of the 76th session of the General Assembly.
      • Mission Sagar
        • As the Corona Pandemic strained the world supply chains, India provided crucial commodities to the Maldives under this Mission.
      • India and Maldive conduct the joint military exercise ‘Ekuverin’.
    • Irritants in India Maldives Relations
      • Male’s foreign policy choices are increasingly being challenged by sections, mostly opposition groups.
        • The opposition is wary of “Indian boots on the ground”.
      • Political Instability
      • Chinese Influence: 
        • Maldives has emerged as an important ‘pearl’ in China’s “String of Pearls”.
      • Radicalisation due to IS and Pakistan based terror groups influence.

     

    India Sri Lanka Relations

    • Sri Lanka is the closest Maritime Neighbour of India and the relations are not up to mark due to different reasons.
    • Tamilian Issue:
      • Recently a memorial at Jaffna University, paying tribute to Tamil Civilians killed during the civil war was demolished.
    • Increasing Chinese Influence

    But there are many confidence-building measures going on as well.

    • Line Of Credit worth $100 million
      • Recently, in June 2021, a Line of credit extended by India, according to officials, is for a period of 20 years, with an interest of 1.75 %. Sri Lanka.
      • There are several other lines of credit too.
    • Currency Swap Agreements: 
      • RBI had signed an agreement for extending a USD 400 million currency swap facility to Sri Lanka. 
        • It is expected to boost the foreign reserves and ensure the financial stability of the country, which was badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • The Indian Housing Project: 
      • It is a flagship project of the Government of India. 
      • India is providing developmental assistance to Sri Lanka in the form of 50,000 houses.
      • These houses will be allotted to those affected by the civil war as well as for the estate workers in the plantation areas.
    • Joint Exercises:
      • Joint Military Exercise: Mitra Shakti 
      • Naval exercise: SLINEX.

    Source: TH

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR