India, Sri Lanka and Maldives have signed a charter agreeing to establish a Secretariat of the Colombo Security Conclave to oversee maritime security in South Asia.
National Security Advisor Ibrahim Latheef signed the charter on behalf of Maldives. The charter was signed by India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
The Colombo Security Conclave is a replacement for the regional body South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as India does not want to work with Pakistan. The main objective of the organization is to work together to maintain regional security.
There are five pillars of cooperation under the Colomco Security Conclave. They are maritime safety and security, countering terrorism and radicalisation, combating trafficking and transnational organised crime, cyber security and protection of critical infrastructure and technology, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Bangladesh and Seychelles have also been invited to join the association.
