Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Summit 2025
Overview
The 7th National Security Advisor-level summit of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) was hosted by India on November 20, 2025. The summit aimed to enhance security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, involving India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Bangladesh as core members, with Seychelles and Malaysia as observer and guest, respectively.
History and Expansion
- The CSC began as a trilateral grouping in 2011 with India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
- Political transitions in member countries initially stalled progress, but the group reconvened under the CSC framework in 2020.
- Focus areas include maritime security, counter-terrorism, trafficking, organized crime, and cybersecurity.
- Mauritius joined as a full member in 2022, followed by Bangladesh in 2024.
Importance for India
The 2025 summit is pivotal for India due to shifts in maritime frameworks within the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. Enhancing cooperation in maritime security is essential to address emerging challenges.
Key Developments in the 2025 Summit
- Seychelles joined as a full member, indicating regional commitment to CSC's objectives.
- India aims to deepen engagement with maritime neighbors amidst geopolitical shifts, particularly with China's increasing influence.
- The security dimension's growing importance underscores the necessity to boost regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
- Malaysia's participation as a guest may signal further group expansion.
Challenges and Strategic Considerations
- India needs to balance concerns about China's presence in the Indian Ocean with other members’ reliance on Beijing as a developmental partner.
- Strengthening the CSC's institutional framework is essential for consistent policy alignment and actionable cooperation pathways.
- Domestic uncertainties in member countries like Bangladesh could impact group resilience and engagement.
Conclusion
The CSC has made significant strides in fostering cooperation in a region lacking cohesive security strategies. Future efforts should focus on institutional resilience and cohesion among member countries.
