New Delhi, November 21, 2025:
India today hosted the 7th National Security Adviser (NSA)-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi, bringing together top security officials from Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Seychelles participated as an Observer State, while Malaysia joined the deliberations for the first time as a Guest nation. The meeting was chaired by India’s NSA, Mr. Ajit Doval.
Formed to enhance security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, the CSC has emerged as a key platform for regional coordination on strategic and security challenges. The Conclave’s Founding Documents were signed in Sri Lanka in August 2024, formally institutionalising the grouping.
During the meeting, the CSC’s first Secretary General—appointed by India—presented a comprehensive review of progress made since the 6th NSA-level meeting held in Mauritius in December 2023. The report highlighted activities undertaken across the Conclave’s five core pillars: *Maritime Safety and Security, **Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation, **Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime, **Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection, and *Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Member States discussed new avenues for strengthening cooperation under these pillars, with an emphasis on training, information sharing, and capacity building. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Conclave’s vision of ensuring peace, stability, and resilience in the Indian Ocean Region.
A key development at this year’s meeting was the collective welcome extended to the Republic of Seychelles, which announced its decision to accede as a full member of the CSC—marking a significant expansion of the security grouping.
Delegations were led by senior national security representatives from each country:
– Maldives: H.E. Ibrahim Latheef, DC (Retd.), Lt. Col. (Retd.), National Security Adviser
– Mauritius: Mr. Rahul Rasgotra, National Security Adviser
– Sri Lanka: Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), Secretary, Ministry of Defence
– Bangladesh: Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman, National Security Adviser
– Seychelles: Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces
Malaysia’s participation as Guest was represented by Mr. Badrul Shah Mohd Idris, Deputy Director General of the Malaysian National Security Council, marking Kuala Lumpur’s first engagement with the Conclave.
The meeting concluded with Member States expressing a shared resolve to deepen collaboration and collectively address emerging regional security challenges.
The feature image And Used photo is from ANI.