Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)

IAS Current Affairs

1 year ago

Overview of Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)

Scientists from Bangladesh and Mauritius departed onboard India’s research vessel “Sagar Nidhi” as part of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

In a landmark event concerning maritime collaboration under the framework of Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) between the nations of Indian Ocean Region, scientists from Bangladesh and Mauritius onboard India’s research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’.
It is to participate in the joint ocean expedition spanning nearly 35 days.
The cruise is conducted by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under Ministry of Earth Sciences.
It is an outcome of the maiden CSC Oceanographers and Hydrographers conference held at Goa and Hyderabad in November 2022.
During the expedition, the scientists will collaboratively undertake research on the ocean data to predict and manage changes in the marine environment and variation in ocean parameters.

The CSC, was formed in 2011 as a trilateral maritime security grouping of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
It welcomed Mauritius as a fourth member at the fifth meeting of national security advisers.
Bangladesh and Seychelles attended as observers and have been invited to join the group.
CSC Secretariat IN Colombo, Sri Lanka and Governance held at the National Security Advisor (NSA)-level.
Key areas of co-operation (5Pillers)
- Maritime Safety and Security
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
- Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime
- Countering Terrorism and Radicalization
- Cyber Security, Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology

China Factor: The CSC wants to limit China’s influence in a crucial strategic region and lessen its presence in its member nations.
Additionally the alliance supports India’s objective of “SAGAR: Security and Growth for All in the Region” and India’s membership in the QUAD alliance.

Political Challenge
- The organisation will be susceptible to changes in domestic politics, such as those in governments.
- By forming working groups at the high official level, CSC may better institutionalise itself inside the participant’s systems.
India’s Dominance
- Smaller nations in the organisation are concerned of India’s dominating position in the organisation
- They are cautious to work together on delicate security matters.
- They do not want the group to be seen as anti-China.
Bilateral Mechanism
- India presently does not have a separate bilateral maritime security discussion with any of the other five CSC nations to supplement the CSC process.
- CSC has absorbed the erstwhile India-Sri Lanka-Maldives maritime security dialogue.

Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) Sagar Nidhi is a multidisciplinary vessel operated by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
It was built in 2007 by Fincantieri, Italy.
It is India’s third research vessel after Sagar Purvi and Sagar Paschimi.
The ship is equipped to conduct oceanographic, meteorological, and geoscientific research.
The vessel would be used to deploy remotely operated vehicles, monitor tsunamis, and find gas hydrates and mines.
It would offer a cutting-edge starting point for the research of maritime operational theatres, including arctic and tropical settings.

It is 104 metres long and 18 metres wide.
It is powered by fully automatic diesel-electric propulsion.
It is designed with blue-water capability with ranges of up to 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km) for voyages lasting up to 45 days.
It is equipped to launch submersible capsules capable of taking scientists to a depth of six km below sea level.

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