Key Highlights:

• The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) aims to promote a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean, with India playing a leadership role.
• The CSC’s revival in 2020, after a standstill since 2014, reflects India’s evolving strategic vision for the Indian Ocean.
• India seeks to institutionalize its role in the region, addressing security challenges and emerging threats through the CSC.
• China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean is a significant factor driving the CSC’s revival, with Beijing investing in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and establishing a presence in key locations.

Key Challenges:

• Domestic political changes in member-states can impact the CSC’s effectiveness, as seen with the Maldives’ absence from a recent meeting.
• The nationalist and pro-China sentiments in member-states may hinder collaboration, affecting the CSC’s ability to address regional challenges.
• Despite concerns about China’s actions in the Indian Ocean, some regional countries may not view China as a threat, limiting the CSC’s collective response.

Key Terms/Phrases:

• Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)
• Indian Ocean
• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
• Maritime security
• Regional collaboration
• Extra-regional powers
• Indo-Pacific
• National Security Adviser (NSA)

Key Quotes:

• “The lack of capacity of island nations to secure the seas and counter transnational threats has continued to motivate India.”
• “China’s outreach to the Indian Ocean is to control crucial sea lines of communication and trade, limiting India’s influence.”

Key Statements:

• “The CSC offers India an opportunity to institutionalize its role, shape the regional security architecture, and better address existing and emerging threats.”
• “The strategic accommodation and flexibility of the CSC contribute to the security of the Indian Ocean.”

Key Examples/References:

• China’s naval capabilities, defense relationships, and infrastructure projects in the Indian Ocean.
• Maldives’ absence from a recent CSC meeting due to preferences for a close relationship with China or nationalist sentiments.

Key Facts/Data:

• The CSC was revived in 2020, with the inclusion of Mauritius, Seychelles, and Bangladesh.
• China’s investments in the Indian Ocean include the Belt and Road Initiative projects and control of Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port.

Critical Analysis:

• The vulnerability of the CSC to domestic political changes highlights challenges in maintaining consistent regional collaboration.
• The balance between addressing security concerns and managing relationships with China is crucial for the CSC’s success.

Way Forward:

• Strengthen institutional mechanisms within the CSC to mitigate the impact of domestic political changes.
• Continue to focus on the five pillars of cooperation, addressing maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief.
• Enhance efforts to build trust among member-states and address concerns related to nationalist and pro-China sentiments.

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