Ajit Doval Arrives in Colombo to Review Security Initiatives

National Security Adviser Ajit K. Doval landed in Colombo on Thursday morning, August 29, 2024, to follow up on the ongoing Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) initiative. This initiative, originally a trilateral effort involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, has expanded to include Mauritius and Bangladesh as members, with Seychelles participating as an observer.

During his visit, Doval is scheduled to hold discussions with various political leaders in Colombo. Official sources have indicated that meetings with top Indian officials have been arranged with representatives from different political parties.

While there has been no official statement regarding the specifics of Doval’s visit, it comes at a strategic moment, just three weeks ahead of an important meeting planned for September 21. The CSC aims to enhance regional security cooperation among member states, particularly in response to China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean Region.

The sixth NSA-level meeting of the CSC took place in Mauritius in December 2023, and the next gathering of security chiefs is set to occur in India later this year. The eighth Deputy NSA-level meeting took place virtually on July 10, during which Bangladesh was welcomed as the fifth member state of this important regional grouping.