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Colombo Security Conclave

Posted on August 9, 2021 by admin1  1320

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 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

 
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