India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, recently attended the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) in Sri Lanka, highlighting India’s growing strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean amidst rising Chinese influence. Doval’s visit comes at a critical time for Sri Lanka as the nation gears up for a presidential election.
Sri Lanka’s presidential elections
Doval’s visit to Sri Lanka occurs as the country faces an upcoming presidential election on September 21, 2024. During his stay, Doval met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss ongoing bilateral economic cooperation. Doval’s engagement is seen as a calculated move to safeguard and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries regardless of the outcome of the presidential elections. Doval also discussed about the economic assistance provided by India for energy projects as well as key areas of collaboration between the two nations.
During his visit, Doval also met with prominent Sri Lankan political figures, including opposition leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, both key presidential candidates, and Tamil and Muslim community leaders. These meetings highlight India’s intent to ensure continued strategic alignment with Sri Lanka regardless of the election outcome. Doval’s engagements send a message that India is prepared to work with any elected government, emphasizing a commitment to bilateral cooperation in economic development and security.
India attends Colombo Security Conclave
The Colombo Security Conclave, established in 2011, is a mini-lateral group that brings together National Security Advisors from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius, with Bangladesh and Seychelles participating as observers. During the recent gathering, member states signed the Charter and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the CSC Secretariat.
The recent meeting on Friday has raised significant concerns for China as the member states have agreed to tackle issues like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, and transnational organized crime through dialogue and cooperation. Many of areas of concern are indirectly related to China’s increased military presence and strategic investment.
China’s recent actions in the Indian Ocean, including deploying survey and surveillance vessels and planning to initiate patrolling with a carrier task force by 2025, signal its intent to assert dominance in the region.
China And Indian Ocean
China’s ambitions in the Indian Ocean are increasingly visible, with three Chinese warships docking in Sri Lanka recently after the lifting of a 12-month ban on Chinese naval vessels. India’s response has been swift and assertive, highlighted by the Indian Navy’s INS Mumbai warship making a three-day visit to Colombo. The simultaneous presence of Indian and Chinese warships in Sri Lankan waters underscores the intense strategic rivalry between the two Asian powers.
India’s engagement through the CSC is a clear indication of its determination to counterbalance China’s influence. The five pillars of cooperation under the CSC—Maritime Safety and Security, Countering Terrorism and Radicalization, Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime, Cyber Security, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief—outline a comprehensive approach that India is adopting to secure its interests in the region.
