SL hosts first-ever Deputy National Security Adviser meeting of Colombo Security Conclave

• Meeting identifies 4 pillars of cooperation — marine safety and security, terrorism and radicalisation, trafficking and organised crime and cyber security
• Stresses on vital role of cooperation and coordination in dealing with contemporary security challenges in the region

The first-ever Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave was held this week. 

The meeting was hosted virtually on Wednesday (4) by Sri Lanka, under the Chairmanship of Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva with the participation of Deputy National Security Adviser of India Pankaj Saran and National Security Adviser›s Office Secretary at the President›s Office of Maldives Aishath Nooshin Waheed.

Bangladesh, Mauritius and Seychelles participated as observers and were represented by Principal Staff Officer to Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh Army Lt. Gen. Waker Uz Zaman, Mauritius Prime Minister’s Office Permanent Secretary Pusmawatee Sohun and Seychelles People›s Force Chief of Defence Forces Colonel Micheal Rosette.

The Deputy NSA level meeting was a follow up to the decisions taken at the NSA level meeting under the expanded format of the Colombo Security Conclave.

The first-ever meeting identified four pillars of cooperation under the Colombo Security Conclave which include; marine safety and security, terrorism and radicalization, trafficking and organised crime and cyber security. 

It discussed specific proposals for cooperation and each of these pillars including holding regular interaction, joint exercises, capacity building and training activities. 

All participants stressed the vital role of cooperation and coordination in dealing with contemporary security challenges in the region, as well as capacity and capability enhancement among themselves, in keeping with the spirit of regional cooperation.

The meeting was marked by convergence of views on common security threats and was held in a warm, positive and forward looking manner.

The decision to establish Colombo Security Conclave was established in November 2020 at the NSA-level meeting of India, Sri Lanka and Maldives to forge closer cooperation on maritime and security matters among the three Indian Ocean countries.