Cybersecurity among '4 pillars of cooperation' in NSA meeting between India, SL, Maldives

In a trilateral security meeting held between Sri Lanka, India, and Maldives on August 4, nations identified  “four pillars” of cooperation in areas related to terrorism and radicalization, marine safety and security, trafficking and organized crime, and cybersecurity, Indian High Commission said in a statement on Friday. Held virtually due to vel coronavirus pandemic, first Deputy National Security Adviser  (NSA)  level meeting of Colombo Security Conclave was hosted by Sri Lanka to hold discussions on vital cooperation and coordination to address key contemporary security challenges in region. 

high-level NSA meet was held under Chairmanship of Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva with participation of Deputy National Security Adviser of India Pankaj Saran and National Security Adviser›s Office Secretary at President›s Office of Maldives Aishath oshin Waheed. Bangladesh, Mauritius, and Seychelles participated as observers, and were participated by Principal Staff Officer to Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh Army Lt. Gen. Waker Uz Zaman, Mauritius Prime Minister’s Office Permanent Secretary Pusmawatee Sohun, and Seychelles People›s Force Chief of Defence Forces Colonel Micheal Rosette. 

To hold regular interactions, joint exercises

NSA talks were held under widened format of Colombo Security Conclave, which held talks over specific proposals for cooperation related to four pillars of cooperation identified by participant countries. three nations agreed to hold regular interactions, joint exercises, capacity building, and training activities and enhancing ir capabilities to keep up with spirit of regional cooperation. 

" meeting was marked by convergence of views on common security threats and was held in a warm, positive and forward looking manner," Indian High Commission said in a statement on Friday. “ meeting identified four pillars of cooperation under Colombo Security Conclave, namely, Marine Safety and Security, Terrorism and Radicalisation, Trafficking and Organised Crime and Cyber security," mission added. 

decision to establish Colombo Security Conclave was agreed upon in vember 2020 at NSA-level meeting of India, Lanka, and Maldives. meeting aims to strengn cooperation on maritime and security issues trilaterally among three key Indian Ocean nations.