National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has emphasized the shared responsibility of nations in ensuring the stability, security, and safety of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Doval made these remarks while opening the NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in New Delhi on Thursday. He highlighted the "immense significance" of strengthening regional partnerships amidst a rapidly changing and challenging global security environment.
Doval framed the Indian Ocean as the "greatest shared heritage" of the region, calling for collective action to address threats ranging from maritime insecurity to emerging cyber risks. He urged member states to pool their capacities and coordinate more closely, reaffirming India's commitment to deepening cooperation within the bloc. He also stressed the need to work together for the preservation and use of the common maritime heritage.
The Colombo Security Conclave, established in 2020, has become a critical platform for regional security cooperation. Member states include the Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Seychelles participated in the meeting as an observer, while Malaysia attended as a guest. The 7th NSA meeting reviewed progress across the CSC's key pillars, including maritime safety and security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation, combating transnational organized crime, cyber security and protection of critical infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Delegates are expected to finalize a roadmap and action plan for 2026.
Doval highlighted that the ocean is the engine that propels economies, and it is the shared responsibility of countries joined by shared maritime geographies to ensure the safety, security, and stability of the IOR. He noted that the strength and success of the CSC lies in the common vision, consultations, and convergence of objectives.
The Indian Ocean's strategic importance is growing, with increasing maritime trade, challenges from China, the relevance of West Asian oil, and competition for resources and markets. The economic and energy security of numerous East Asian nations, including China and Japan, rely on the stability and viability of Indian Ocean shipping lanes. The region faces a wide range of maritime issues, including climate threats, illegal migration, trafficking, piracy, and illegal fishing.
India's maritime security approach is evolving, with initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). While SAGAR focused on regional partnerships and security, MAHASAGAR integrates economic diplomacy, technological connectivity, and environmental sustainability.
China's expanding presence in the IOR poses a significant strategic challenge for India. China's strategic ports and increasing naval presence enable it to monitor Indian naval activity and potentially disrupt trade routes. China is also investing in hydrographic studies in the Indian Ocean, raising concerns about intelligence gathering and long-term security dynamics.
To counter these challenges, India needs to bolster its naval capabilities, offer economic alternatives to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), strengthen alliances like the Quad, enhance surveillance, and leverage soft power. A proactive, multi-dimensional strategy is essential to safeguard India's maritime interests and maintain regional stability. India must equate the importance of its maritime frontiers to that of its terrestrial borders and incorporate maritime concerns into its strategic planning.
