- Indian Coast Guard Region (North East) is hosted the fourth edition of Table top exercise under the aegis of Colombo Security Conclave in Kolkata from March 14 to 16, 2023.
- Apart from the Indian Coast Guard, representatives of the member countries of the Colombo Security Conclave are – Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius.
- It was organized along with observer countries – Bangladesh and Seychelles.
- The Colombo Security Conclave was formed in 2011 as a trilateral maritime security grouping of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
- The roadmap of activities was later expanded, with Mauritius joining as the fourth member and Bangladesh & Seychelles participating as observer countries.
- The Conclave underlines regional cooperation and shared security objectives concerning all littoral nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- It aims to make maritime security, marine pollution response and maritime search & rescue priorities for the region.
- Coordination amongst maritime neighbours holds the key for maritime safety and security in the IOR. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and neighbourhood first policy are the prime initiatives for IOR and bears testimony to India’s policy priorities.
- A cooperative environment and collaborative mechanism in the maritime neighbourhood of IOR is essential to address the oceanic challenges, thereby ensuring maritime safety, security and protection of marine environment.
4th ‘Colombo Security Conclave’ organized by Indian Coast Guard in Kolkata to discuss challenges in the Indian Ocean Region
