India To Host 7th Meeting Of NSAs Of Colombo Security Conclave, Know What All Is On The Agenda
India is set to host the 7th meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi, underscoring its growing role in shaping the security architecture of the Indian Ocean Region. This high-level gathering, scheduled for November 20, 2025, will bring together NSAs from member states — namely India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius, and Bangladesh — along with observers and guests, including Seychelles and Malaysia. The New Indian Express+2The Statesman+2 As the host, India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, will steer critical discussions that are expected to define the future security roadmap for the region. The New Indian Express+1
The Colombo Security Conclave, which was formally institutionalized to bolster regional cooperation on security, has evolved significantly since its inception. Originally conceived as a trilateral maritime security dialogue between India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, it has now expanded to include Mauritius as a full member and Bangladesh as part of its NSA-level engagements, while Seychelles participates as an observer. Aparchit Exam Warriors+1 The Conclave’s expansion attests to India’s strategic vision of building a cooperative architecture in the Indian Ocean that is inclusive, consultative, and focused on both traditional and emerging security challenges.
At the heart of the 7th NSA meeting will be a review of key pillars of cooperation that define the Colombo Security Conclave’s agenda. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), participating countries will assess progress on maritime safety and security, countering terrorism and radicalization, combating transnational organized crime, cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The New Indian Express+1 These five pillars form the strategic foundation of CSC’s mission and reflect the varied nature of threats in the Indian Ocean Region, where both state and non-state security risks proliferate.
A particularly important objective of this meeting will be to finalize the Roadmap and Action Plan for 2026, as indicated by the MEA. OrissaPOST By doing so, the Conclave aims to galvanize collective action across its member and observer states, ensuring that the cooperation is not just declaratory but backed by concrete initiatives. This forward-looking agenda suggests that the CSC is not merely a diplomatic forum but a mechanism for sustained operational collaboration, capacity building, and policy alignment.
India’s leadership role in this conclave is not incidental. Under NSA Ajit Doval, New Delhi has consistently championed regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean, positioning itself as a net security provider for its island and littoral neighbors. India Today In earlier meetings, including the sixth NSA-level meeting hosted by Mauritius in December 2023, India and its partners committed to more robust maritime domain awareness, counterterrorism collaboration, and capacity strengthening in disaster relief and cyber governance. Cộng Hòa Mauritius
Apart from reviewing past cooperation and defining future goals, the 7th NSA meeting offers a timely platform for addressing emerging security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. In recent years, these challenges have become more complex: maritime disputes, climate-driven disasters, cyber threats, radicalization, and cross-border crime demand coordinated regional responses. The CSC thus becomes a critical multilateral tool in responding to these multidimensional risks.
One of the most pressing agenda items is likely to be maritime domain awareness (MDA). With its vast coastline and island geography, the Indian Ocean is highly vulnerable to unmonitored maritime activity. States in the region face risks from illegal fishing, piracy, drug trafficking, and even maritime terrorism. By improving MDA, CSC countries can share surveillance data, conduct joint patrols, and better coordinate responses to illicit maritime activity. Such cooperation serves not just national interests but the collective interest of keeping the seas secure and stable.
Counterterrorism and radicalization remain central to the Conclave’s priorities. Terrorism in the Indian Ocean Region is not just a land-based problem; sea routes are exploited for movement, logistics, and financing by transnational extremist networks. By institutionalizing counterterrorism cooperation, the CSC aims to build stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms, jointly combat radicalization, and enhance resilience across member states. These efforts are complemented by law enforcement cooperation and legal frameworks developed to prosecute cross-border terror-related offenses.
In parallel, combating transnational organized crime is another vital pillar on the agenda. Organized criminal networks in the Indian Ocean are active in drug trafficking, human smuggling, arms trades, and money laundering. The CSC provides a platform for member states to coordinate law enforcement strategies, align legal regimes, and collaborate on capacity building to dismantle these networks. The collective strength created by multilateral action is far greater than what any one country can achieve on its own.
Another emerging domain of strategic cooperation is cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure. As countries around the Indian Ocean expand their digital infrastructure, they also face growing vulnerabilities — cyber-attacks on ports, energy grids, telecommunications systems, and more. The CSC’s agenda in this space will likely include the development of joint cyber-response frameworks, sharing best practices, and possibly the creation of a regional task force to address cyber threats. Coordination in this area is essential to protect not only national but also regional critical infrastructure.
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) forms the fifth pillar of the Conclave, recognizing that the Indian Ocean Region is particularly exposed to natural disasters like cyclones, tsunamis, and humanitarian crises. By cooperating on HADR, CSC countries can pool resources, plan joint preparedness exercises, and respond faster when disaster strikes. This humanitarian dimension of security is a powerful reminder that regional security is not purely about threats, but also about collective resilience and mutual aid in times of crisis.
The participation of Malaysia as a guest and Seychelles as an observer in the 7th NSA meeting signals that the Indian Ocean security platform is open to expanding beyond its core membership. The New Indian Express Their involvement reflects growing interest in regional security cooperation, and may pave the way for broader engagement in future. As strategic competition intensifies in the Indian Ocean, inclusive frameworks like CSC can provide alternatives to zero-sum bloc politics.
For Bangladesh, whose NSA Khalilur Rahman will attend the meeting, this conclave represents a strategic opportunity. The Business Standard+1 While Bangladesh is not traditionally a maritime power, it is increasingly asserting its role in regional security dialogues. Its inclusion in CSC NSA-level meetings strengthens its ties with India and other island states, and allows Dhaka to contribute to key initiatives on transnational crime, disaster response, and counterterrorism.
The 7th NSA-level CSC meeting also underscores India’s broader geopolitical ambition: to reinforce multilateralism in the Indian Ocean in contrast to more coercive security frameworks. The Conclave has often been described as a “cooperative, inclusive, and consultative mechanism,” built on the principle of respect for smaller states’ sovereignty and equality. studyiq.com This vision of regional cooperation resonates deeply with New Delhi’s long-term strategy of positioning itself as a stabilizer rather than a hegemon in the maritime domain.
History gives further weight to this meeting. The 6th NSA-level meeting in Mauritius produced a joint roadmap for 2024, building on the ground laid in previous sessions. Cộng Hòa Mauritius Governments committed to a roadmap that prioritized surveillance cooperation, coastal security, cyber resilience, and disaster management. The 7th meeting, by offering a review and charting the 2026 plan, will be a critical moment to assess how far those earlier commitments have progressed and where gaps still remain.
India’s hosting of this conclave is also tied to its identity as a responsible regional power. By bringing together NSAs from multiple countries, New Delhi is enabling conversations not just on defense and security, but on mutual trust, shared vision, and institutional maturity. This role is especially relevant in a region where smaller island nations often feel security anxiety amid major-power competition.
Another important aspect is the institutional backbone of the CSC. The Conclave has established a permanent secretariat in Colombo, which acts as a coordination point for ongoing activities, joint exercises, and policy implementation. icwa.in+1 This secretariat ensures continuity, supports working groups, and helps translate high-level pledges into operational cooperation, which is crucial for the Conclave’s credibility.
India’s ambition in the Indian Ocean is not limited to security talks. Over the years, it has also initiated and hosted related capacity-building initiatives: from oceanographer and hydrographer conferences, to coastal security workshops, to law enforcement training. OrissaPOST These activities strengthen the region’s ability to monitor its waters, respond to illegal activities, and manage crises more efficiently. The 7th NSA meeting benefits from this foundation of sustained trust and institutional investments.
The inclusion of disaster relief and humanitarian cooperation on the agenda is particularly significant in a time when climate change is making disasters more frequent and severe. The Indian Ocean region is on the front lines of climate vulnerability, and shared investments in disaster response are both a moral imperative and a strategic necessity. Through CSC, the member states can harmonize protocols, share early warning mechanisms, and run joint exercises, thereby saving lives and protecting economic assets across borders.
Given the growing threat of cyber warfare, the CSC’s focus on cybersecurity is timely. Many countries in the Indian Ocean are expanding digitization of vital infrastructure, but often lack robust defense against cyberattacks. By coordinating their cyber strategies, sharing threat intelligence, and building joint capacity, CSC countries can better defend their critical systems. This also creates a deterrent effect, signaling to potential adversaries that regional partners are not fragmented but united in protecting vital infrastructure.
Countering transnational organized crime is another area where CSC’s collaborative model is vital. Trafficking networks operate across maritime routes and use the region’s vast geography to their advantage. By combining intelligence, aligning laws, and conducting joint operations, CSC member states can more effectively disrupt these networks. This not only strengthens national security but also reduces the socio-economic harms caused by crime.
Terrorism and radicalization remain central concerns for all CSC members. While terrorism has evolved into a multi-domain threat, the Indian Ocean’s maritime routes are particularly vulnerable to extremist infiltration and financing. By pooling intelligence, sharing best practices, and coordinating law enforcement response, the Conclave can help disrupt terrorist networks, reduce recruitment, and build resilience in societies vulnerable to radicalization. This shared approach enhances trust among member states and makes the region more resilient.
Strategically, India’s initiative to host this meeting is a clear signal to external powers: that it seeks to build a regional security regime based on trust and mutual respect, not dominance. In a world where global maritime competition is intensifying, such regional frameworks are an alternative to great-power-led blocs. The CSC under India’s stewardship showcases how smaller and medium powers can shape regional order proactively.
On a diplomatic level, the participation of Bangladesh is particularly noteworthy. As a neighbor to both India and the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh brings additional legitimacy to the Conclave. Its inclusion helps bridge the Indian Ocean’s littoral states with the broader South Asian security architecture. It also reflects Dhaka’s own growing security ambitions and its desire to be part of multilateral frameworks that deal with non-traditional threats.
Malaysia’s invitation as a guest to the meeting is also illustrative of the Conclave’s potential expansion. Kuala Lumpur’s interest suggests that CSC may not remain confined to the Indian Ocean littoral but could evolve into a more inclusive regional security grouping. If Malaysia — a key Southeast Asian player — becomes more deeply involved, it could lead to new cooperative strands, including maritime law enforcement, counter-piracy, and even defense logistics.
Seychelles’ status as an observer is equally strategic. This small island nation occupies a critical location in the Indian Ocean, and its participation ensures that the CSC remains rooted in the geography it aims to secure. Observers like Seychelles help ground the Conclave in local realities, enriching policy discussions with their unique insights and vulnerabilities. Their involvement is also a signal that CSC values inclusivity and recognizes the importance of smaller states in regional security.
At the same time, the 7th NSA meeting offers India a chance to deepen bilateral ties with its regional partners. High-level interactions between NSAs often pave the way for bilateral follow-on actions: agreements on intelligence sharing, capacity building, or even joint exercises. In hosting the meeting, India is reaffirming its commitment to being a trusted partner in its neighbors’ security, not just a dominant power.
The timing of this meeting is also geopolitically significant. With shifting power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, growing great-power competition, and rising non-traditional security threats, the Indian Ocean has become a theater of both opportunity and risk. The CSC’s institutional momentum gives member states a platform to coordinate their responses and assert agency. By hosting the NSA meeting now, India demonstrates that it is capable of convening and leading a regional agenda that is not reactive but proactive.
Moreover, the commitment to produce a roadmap for 2026 reflects the Conclave’s ambition for continuity. Rather than ad-hoc statements, the CSC seeks to institutionalize cooperation that persists beyond political cycles. A tangible action plan helps move beyond rhetoric to concrete cooperative measures — capacity development, exercises, shared threat assessments, and joint operations.
India also seeks to project the Conclave as a model of “cooperative security” — one where trust is built through shared norms, joint platforms, and regular dialogue. This approach resonates with its broader diplomatic strategy: creating “architecture without hegemony.” By convening the 7th NSA-level meeting, India is underscoring that it believes in inclusive multilateralism, where smaller states are equal stakeholders and not mere followers.
The success of this meeting could also strengthen the CSC’s institutional credibility. A well-concluded NSA-level meeting, with clear deliverables and a forward-looking roadmap, can boost confidence among member and observer states. It can also attract wider participation and possibly encourage new members. The CSC’s growth trajectory — from a trilateral dialogue to a broader security grouping — depends heavily on how effectively these high-level meetings translate into measurable outcomes.
From a public policy perspective, the CSC is important for shared resource management. The Indian Ocean is central to global trade, and its maritime security has direct implications for energy routes, fishing economies, and economic connectivity. By working together to secure these waters, CSC countries can protect their economic interests, promote sustainable use of marine resources, and ensure that sea lanes remain open and safe for commerce.
Furthermore, the Conclave’s focus on capacity building — through training, exercises, and institutional mechanisms — helps smaller states enhance their own security infrastructure. Not every country in the Indian Ocean possesses high-end naval or cyber capabilities, but through cooperation, they can augment their capacities, share expertise, and build resilience collectively. This capability-driven cooperation is one of the most tangible outcomes of the CSC, and the 7th NSA meeting is likely to emphasize it.
One cannot neglect the diplomatic symbolism of hosting such a meeting in New Delhi. India, by bringing the Conclave’s NSAs to its capital, is sending a powerful message: that it is both a security provider and a partner. The act of hosting reflects New Delhi’s desire to anchor the CSC more firmly in its vision for a stable, inclusive, and interconnected Indian Ocean region.
Of course, challenges remain. While cooperation under the five pillars is ambitious, implementation will demand sustained political will, trust, and resource commitments. Differences in national priorities, capacity asymmetries, and geopolitical tensions can pose obstacles. Moreover, ensuring that the roadmap for 2026 is not merely aspirational but operational will require strong follow-up, regular assessments, and robust institutional backing from the CSC secretariat.
Another challenge will be balancing sovereignty with cooperation. For smaller states, there is always the tension between the security benefits of multilateral cooperation and the risk of being dominated by larger partners. India will need to reassure its counterparts that the CSC platform respects each member’s sovereignty and is not a vehicle for strategic control.
Yet, despite these challenges, the 7th NSA meeting represents a promising juncture. In convening this high-level dialogue, India and its partners have the opportunity to reset the security narrative in the Indian Ocean — away from unilateralism and toward a collective architecture of trust. The focus on cyber, crime, maritime security, counterterrorism, and disaster relief shows that the Conclave is adapting to the complex realities of 21st-century security, not just traditional power politics.
In conclusion, the 7th Meeting of NSAs of the Colombo Security Conclave in New Delhi is more than another diplomatic event: it is a significant step in consolidating a regional security architecture rooted in cooperation, shared values, and pragmatic action. By bringing together key littoral and island nations and setting a clear agenda with forward-looking priorities, the meeting has the potential to drive real impact. As the CSC moves ahead with its roadmap for 2026, the regional security landscape of the Indian Ocean may well be reshaped in ways that reflect both shared challenges and shared hope.
