The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo, opened the 6th National Security Adviser (NSA) Level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, today, at Le Meridien Hotel in Balaclava.
The Commissioner of Police, NSA Mauritius: Mr Vivek Johri, Mr Anil Kumar Dip, several Ministers, the National Security Adviser to the Minister of the Republic of India, Mr Ajit Doval, the National Security Adviser of the Democratic, Socialist, Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, delegates of member States, and other personalities were also present.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) underlined the imperativeness of enhancing maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean region in the wake of current and emerging challenges.
He elaborated on the critical areas of cooperation that need to be addressed to enhance and strengthen regional security. They are: maritime safety and security; countering terrorism and radicalisation; combatting trafficking and transnational organised crime; cyber security; protection of critical infrastructure; and technology as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The DPM underscored that the 6th NSA Level meeting will provide the opportunity to assess potential threats and challenges impacting maritime security of countries in the region. They include piracy, terrorism, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, and search and rescue issues.
Maritime security threats can only be addressed in a collective manner, he stated, adding that Mauritius is fully committed to support and strengthen maritime safety and security in collaboration with the member countries.
Speaking on threats posed by terrorism, he indicated that the Mauritius is not immune to it and has implemented necessary preventive measures to protect the country.
Underlying the changing and constantly evolving cross border crimes, DPM Obeegadoo underpinned the need for sustained collaborative mechanisms and modern strategies.
As regard cyberspace, he mentioned that new crimes are developing at exponential rate and impacting countries regionally. Addressing cybersecurity has become a key component of national and regional security, he emphasised. Collaborative efforts, he added, are therefore prerequisite to develop resilience in cybersecurity. The Deputy Prime Minister called on the member countries to pursue efforts to cooperate, connect, and communicate, to effectively address the maritime security and cross borders threats.
As for Commissioner Dip, he stated that countries in the Indian Ocean are facing common challenges lurking on their borders. The region needs to detect and prevent every possible threat, he underpinned. He called upon member countries to join forces to deal with current and arising challenges and to explore collaborative solutions for shared security.
Mr Ajit Doval, National Security Adviser to the Minister of the Republic of India, underlined that the Conclave plays a significant role in ensuring safety and security in the region. “We must remain steadfast in the pursuit of our objective, and work closely for the maritime security, preserve peace and promote stability in the region”, he stated.
The National Security Adviser of the Democratic, Socialist, Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, dwelt on the problems and increasing threats faced by region including security, and environmental and social issues. He is of the opinion that the Conclave will provide the most appropriate platform to address maritime issues and reinforce and enhance regional peace and security.
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 and Seychelles participating as observer countries. It aims to address maritime security in the Indian Ocean and confront common security threats among member countries and operates based on the shared core values of its participating nations.
