1.Introduction 

• On 20 November 2025, during the 7th NSA-level meeting in New Delhi, Seychelles formally became a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

• The meeting was chaired by India’s NSA Ajit Doval.

• CSC is emerging as one of the most important security cooperation platforms in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

2. What is Colombo Security Conclave?

A multilateral regional security grouping originally initiated by India, Sri Lanka and Maldives to deal with common Indian Ocean challenges.

Aim:

To improve maritime security, regional stability, and cooperation among Indian Ocean countries.

Five Core Pillars of CSC

1. Maritime Safety and Security

   • Anti-piracy, search and rescue, joint naval operations.

2. Countering Terrorism & Radicalisation

   • Intelligence sharing, capacity building, de-radicalisation programmes.

3. Combating Trafficking & Transnational Organised Crime

   • Against narcotics, arms smuggling, human trafficking.

4. Cyber Security & Protection of Critical Infrastructure

   • Cyber drills, digital forensics, protection of government networks.

5. Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR)

   • Joint disaster management and emergency response.

3. Evolution of CSC

• 2011: Initiated as “Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation” (India–Sri Lanka–Maldives).

• 2020 onwards: Expanded and renamed Colombo Security Conclave.

• Mauritius became a member (2020).

• Bangladesh formally joined later.

• 2025: Seychelles becomes the newest member, showing growing institutionalisation.

4. Highlights of the 7th NSA-Level Meeting (2025)

Participants

Key Outcomes

• Seychelles admitted as full member.

• First-ever participation of Malaysia as a Guest Country, showing increasing Indo-Pacific interest in CSC.

• Stress on maritime cooperation, cyber security, and joint exercises.

• Ajit Doval highlighted that the Indian Ocean is a shared strategic heritage and stability requires collective security efforts.

5. Significance of Seychelles’ Membership

A. Geostrategic Importance

• Located in the western Indian Ocean, at a crucial point near key shipping routes.

• Strengthens the western flank of CSC’s security network.

B. Boost to Maritime Domain Awareness

• Helps enhance real-time surveillance against:

  • Piracy

  • Illegal fishing

  • Drug trafficking

  • Human smuggling

C. Enhances Anti-Piracy & Maritime Security

• Seychelles has strong coastal surveillance and experience in anti-piracy operations in the western IOR.

D. Strengthens India–Seychelles Strategic Ties

• Deepens India’s influence as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.

• Complements India’s efforts such as:

  • Mission SAGAR

  • IORA collaboration

  • IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium)

E. Expands CSC’s Institutional Capacity

• Shows CSC’s growing relevance and expansion potential.

• Makes CSC a broader Indo-Pacific security platform rather than just a sub-regional mechanism.

6. Why CSC is Important for India (UPSC Point of View)

• Strengthens India’s leadership in IOR security.

• Creates a counter-balance to China’s naval penetration in the Indian Ocean.

• Offers a platform for intelligence sharing, joint operations, and capacity building.

• Important for safeguarding India’s maritime interests:

  • Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs)

  • Energy imports

  • Trade security

7. Static / Factual Details (Prelims Pointers)

• Event: 7th NSA-level Colombo Security Conclave

• Date: 20 November 2025

• Venue: New Delhi, India

• Chairperson: Ajit Doval

• New Member: Seychelles

• Guest Country: Malaysia

• Other Members: India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

• 5 Pillars of CSC:

  1. Maritime Safety

  2. Counter-Terrorism

  3. Transnational Crime

  4. Cyber Security

  5. HADR

8. Why This Topic Is Important for UPSC?

• High relevance for Prelims (factual questions on CSC/Members/Pillars).

• Significant for GS Paper 2 (India and neighbourhood; regional groupings).

• Useful for GS Paper 3 (maritime security, cyber security, national security).

• Themes of Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean geopolitics, island nations, India as net security provider.

9. Possible UPSC Prelims Questions

1. Which of the following are members of the Colombo Security Conclave?

   • India

   • Sri Lanka

   • Bangladesh

   • Seychelles

2. Which of the following is NOT a pillar of the Colombo Security Conclave?
   a) Maritime Safety
   b) Climate Change Mitigation
   c) Counter-Terrorism
   d) Cyber Security

3. Which country attended the 7th NSA-level CSC meeting as a Guest Country in 2025?

   • Malaysia

10. Possible UPSC Mains Question

“Discuss the significance of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in India’s maritime security architecture. How does Seychelles’ membership enhance CSC’s strategic relevance?”