India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, addresses the Colombo Security Dialogue in Delhi on Thursday. Top security officials from the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh participated in the dialogue, with Seychelles participating as an Observer member. Malaysia joined the security dialogue for the first time as a Guest.
The key focus of the meeting remained on strengthening cooperation among Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries on maritime safety, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and responses to transnational organised crime and disasters.
"The Ocean is our greatest shared heritage, and as countries connected by maritime geography, it is our responsibility to ensure stability, security, and safety of the region,” said NSA Doval while addressing the officials.
The CSC, originally formed to enhance collective security among member states, formally adopted its founding documents in Sri Lanka in August 2024.
During the meeting, the first Secretary General of the CSC — appointed by India — presented a detailed review of the progress made since the 6th NSA-level meeting held in Mauritius in December 2023.
"At the 7th NSA level meeting, the first Secretary General, appointed by India, presented a comprehensive review to the CSC Member States on the decisions taken at the 6th NSA level meeting in Mauritius on 7-8 December 2023 and activities undertaken since then under the five pillars of cooperation, namely Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief," the release stated.
The participating nations further reiterated their shared commitment to the CSC's vision of coordinated regional security and affirmed the need for stronger partnerships to address emerging challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
Delegations —
The delegations were led by the Maldives' NSA Ibrahim Latheef, Mauritius' NSA Rahul Rasgotra, and Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, and Bangladesh's NSA Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman.
Seychelles was represented by Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces, while Malaysia, attending as a Guest for the first time, was represented by Badrul Shah Mohd Idris, Deputy Director General of its National Security Council
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