Abstract
In the 21st century, with
increasing global interconnectedness and globalisation, security threats are no
longer confined to specific states. A prime example of this is the global
impact of Covid-19, which transcended national boundaries. Consequently,
non-traditional security challenges have become significant in this era, going
beyond traditional military threats. These challenges encompass a wide range of
issues that require international cooperation and attention to find effective
solutions. Therefore, the significance of multilateral organisations for
states’ cooperation has increased to tackle non-traditional and human security
challenges. Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is one such mini-lateral
organisation. It is a regional security framework initiated in 2011 by India,
Maldives, and Sri Lanka. After a brief suspension, it was rebranded in 2020 and
expanded to include Mauritius as a member and Bangladesh and Seychelles as
observers. CSC primarily focuses on addressing non-traditional maritime
security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to enhance stability through
cooperation. This article will discuss the development of CSC, its limitations,
and potential solutions. It will then explore the importance of including
relevant offshore renewable energy for CSC and finally the way forward to make
the mini-lateral, a more robust organisation for ensuring human security
throughthe maritime domain.
Introduction
Colombo
Security Conclave (CSC) is a regional security cooperation framework that
originated from meetings between the National Security Advisors (NSAs) and
Deputy NSAs of India, Maldives, and Sri Lankain in 2011. However, due to
tensions between India and Maldives, the meetings were suspended for a short
time after the third NSA-level CSC meeting from 2014 to 2020. In 2020, it was
revived, rebranded and renamed as ‘Colombo Security Conclave’ from its previous
name ‘NSA-level Trilateral Meeting’. A secretariat based in Colombo for the
group was established in Colombo in 2021.1 During the fifth
NSA-level meeting in 2022, CSC incorporated Mauritius as a fourth member and
invited Bangladesh and Seychelles to join CSC as observer states.2 The
CSC aims to address security concerns in the IOR, focusing on maritime security, marine
pollution response and search
and rescue (SAR).3 Therefore,
with a focus on addressing collective maritime security challenges, CSC aims to
enhance stability through collaboration in the IOR.
According to Indian Fusion Centre,
some of the non-traditional security challenges in IOR are piracy and armed robbery, contraband smuggling (mainly drugs, wildlife resources and arms
smuggling), Illegal Unregulated and Unreported fishing (IUU fishing), Irregular
Human Migration (IHM), maritime incidents, marine pollution, cyber security,
climate change and security. In 2022, South Asia accounted for 21 per cent of
the world’s IUU fishing with a reported total of 125 incidents.4 Regarding
incidents involving IHM, South Asia recorded 69 incidents in 2022. In contrast,
the Mediterranean Region reported 1401 incidents, while Southeast Asia reported
119 incidents.5 Similarly,
13 piracy and armed robbery incidents were reported in South Asia in 2022,
compared to 86 cases in Southeast Asia and 34 cases in the Gulf of Guinea.6 Due
to differences in strategic ambitions and priorities, all 36 countries of the IOR
may not be facing common maritime security challenges. Even when security
threats are common, priorities in addressing threats are different. Therefore,
CSC becomes relevant as it is a small grouping, enabling India to address its
security concerns in South Asia while also providing an opportunity for the
island and littoral nations to tackle their maritime challenges. Likewise,
reaching agreements becomes easier in a mini-lateral organisation.
Key Areas of
Cooperation
Over the years,
the level of cooperation in CSC has grown significantly, strengthening its
ability to address maritime security challenges in the region. In the second
meeting held in 2013, the members collectively developed and agreed upon a
roadmap outlining the key focus areas. Sri Lanka and Maldives were granted
access to the Indian Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) data centre
for monitoring and tracking their flagged merchant vessels. The Merchant Ship
Information System (MSIS) was employed for exchanging unclassified information
on white shipping. Automatic Identification System (AIS) data was shared in a
trilateral format over the MSIS platform. Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
training was conducted in India to enhance participants’ understanding and
capabilities. Cooperation in SAR was strengthened through suchoperations,
assistance in setting up maritime
rescue coordination centres
(MRCCs), and coordination of distress alerts and safety messages. Mechanisms
for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance were strengthened. In addition,
communication channels were established to address illegal maritime activities.
The trilateral exercise ‘DOSTI’ was strengthened with tabletop exercises and
seminars on maritime issues held every alternate year. Simultaneous tsunami
warnings were passed to agreed Points of Contact in addition to the designated
National Tsunami Warning Centres. A trilateral sub-group focusing on legal and
policy issues related to piracy was established.7
In the third meeting in 2014, newer
areas of cooperation were added to this trilateral group, such as joint
hydrography, training on board-sail training ships, exchanges between think
tanks and joint participation in adventure activities.8 In 2020,
during the fourth CSC meeting, the area of cooperation further expanded,
introducing intelligence sharing against terrorism and radicalisation,
extremism, illegal drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. Additionally,
collaboration to confront non-traditional security challenges, such as the
effects of climate change on the maritime environment and oil spills, was
added. Efforts were made to explore underwater heritage and safeguard the
Indian Ocean’s maritime ecosystem.9 In the 5th NSA level CSC meeting, member states
identified and further developed key areas of cooperation to enhance and
strengthen regional security in the following five pillars:
n Maritime safety and security.
n Countering terrorism and radicalisation.
n Combating trafficking and transnational
organised crime.
n Cyber security, protection of critical
infrastructure and technology.
n Humanitarian assistance and disaster
relief.10
Apart from expanding areas of
cooperation at the policy-making level in recent summits, CSC has also expanded
its cooperation at the operational level. It conducted various tabletop
exercises, virtual workshops, seminars/conferences, and training programs. In
Jan 2022, CSC started the first virtual workshop on developing regional cyber
security capabilities on defensive operations, deep/dark web handling, and
digital forensics to address key areas of the deep web and dark net
investigation and challenges, digital forensics, cyber threat intelligence and
defensive operations in the cyber domain. The discussions focused on
technological advancements, research challenges and approaches in these areas.
Participants also shared their experiences and solutions in dealing with cyber
security threats.11 Similarly, in 2022, CSC started with virtual
conferences and a training programme on investigating terrorism-related cases.12 The participants discussed the difficulties of
investigating terrorism cases and they shared their experiences and effective
ways to handle prosecution of terrorism cases. Member states also discussed
laws dealing with terror financing in their countries, like fake money, online
radicalisation, and social media.
Additionally, they discussed
organised crime, economic intelligence, cyber and mobile forensics, and the
role of INTERPOL.13 Apart
from that, tabletop exercises are also organised regularly under CSC to work
together on maritime challenges in IOR. The latest tabletop exercise was the 4th such
exercise organised by the Indian Coast Guard in Kolkata from 14 to 16 Mar 2023.14 These
exercises are vital in keeping the IOR safe and secure for commercial shipping,
international trade, and legitimate maritime activities.15 It also keeps synergy and coordination between
the militaries of member states during joint operations. It can be said that
CSC delivers cooperation both at the operational and policy-making levels as it
involves various government agencies that help enhance maritime security in the
region. For example, Rashtriya Raksha University, Gujarat, organised two
maritime law workshops under the CSC till 2023. Its objective aimed at capacity
building in the domain of maritime law and governance through teaching,
research, training and extension programmes and activities.16
Relevant
Offshore-Renewable Energyin CSC
Offshore energy
refers to generating renewable energy from natural resources found in offshore
environments. It comprises:
n Offshore wind energy.
n Offshore wave energy.
n Tidal energy.
In comparison, marine energy is a
wider term that covers all types of renewable energy derived from the ocean,
seas, and other water bodies, such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC),
Salinity Gradient Power Energy, as well as Offshore Wave and Tidal energy. It
excludes offshore wind energy. Marine energy is a more inclusive category that
covers various methods of harnessing energy from the marine environment.
While CSC started focusing on the
effects of climate change on the maritime environment in 2020, as mentioned
above, it can also work together to find ways in which maritime domain can help
minimise the impact of climate change. By this, CSC can tackle non-traditional
security issues by utilising the maritime space as climate change directly
impacts the population of a region. One of the best ways in which the maritime
domain can help minimise the impact of climate change is when CSC member states
collaborate in producing green/renewable energy from marine environments, such
as offshore renewable andmarine energy. It would help reduce the dependency on
fossil fuels, which are one of the main causes of climate change. There are
various types of offshore renewable energy that have great potential to replace
fossil fuel-based energy as they are in abundance in the South Asian Region.
These are as follows:
n Offshore
Wind Energy. Offshore wind energy is the generation of electricity by wind
farms in bodies of water, most commonly at sea. According to the International
Energy Agency (IEA), wind speeds are higher offshore than on land,
therefore, offshore farms generate more electricity per capacity installed.17 The Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) writes that offshore windmills are beneficial
as land accusation is not a concern in setting up windmills, and land resources
remain protected.18 According to International Trade
Administration, India has the potential to generate 140 gigawatts (GW) of
electricity from offshore winds due to its long coastline, especially in the
regions near the Southern coasts and off the Western coast of India.19 Whereas, according to World Forum Offshore Wind,
global offshore wind energy production in 2022 was 57.6 GW of electricity.20 CSC member states are also located close to the
Southern coast of India, which means they share a geographical proximity to
these areas abundant in wind energy potential. India has a roadmap and set the
target to achieve 30 GW of electricity from offshore winds by 2030.21 While MNRE is
working on installing offshore windmills in India and came up with the National
Offshore Wind Energy Policy in 2015.22 MNRE can also
work under the CSC framework and support members in establishing and reaching
their renewable energy goals. For example, collaboration under the CSC can help
Sri Lanka achieve its target of generating 70 per cent of energy requirements
from renewable sources by 2030.23 Moreover, Sri Lanka is still finalising its
offshore wind energy roadmap.24 They
can achieve this through joint research and operations with renewable energy
agencies of member states under the CSC framework.
n Wave
and Tidal energy.
< Wave and tidal energy are two forms of ocean
renewable energy that use waves to generate electricity. However, their energy
capture techniques differ. Tidal energy is generated by the moon and the sun’s
gravitational pulls, which cause tides to rise and fall. Tidal energy devices
capture the energy of water movement during tidal cycles. Whereas in offshore
wave energy, the kinetic energy of ocean waves is used to generate electricity.
It involves catching the energy from the motion of waves as they move across
the ocean’s surface.
< A joint study conducted by the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, in collaboration with Credit Rating
Information Services of India Limited Risk and Infrastructure Solutions Limited
in December 2014, revealed that the tidal power potential in India is
approximately 12.455 GW. The study identified areas with low to medium tidal
wave strength where this potential could be harnessed. These areas include the
Gulf of Khambat, the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, and the Southern regions of
Gujarat. The Palk Bay-Mannar Channel in Tamil Nadu and the Hooghly River. South
Haldia, and Sunderbans in West Bengal were also identified as promising
locations for tidal power generation.25 The study found
that India has a significant capacity to produce clean electricity from tidal
energy. Tides are predictable and flow in a regular and consistent pattern,
unlike wind, making them a constant source of energy. As water is denser than
air, tidal currents are denser than wind currents, which means tidal energy
systems can generate more power compared to wind turbines of similar capacity.26
< Indian Parliament in 2021 asked MNRE to set
up a tidal power project as there is no such project in India currently.27 The problem
lies in the high cost of production that led to the cancellation of earlier
projects. However, efforts were made that have decreased the cost; but it needs
to be further decreased through research
and development (R&D).28 CSC members can
collaborate in R&D to further reduce the cost of tidal energy production.
Government organisations on renewable energy of CSC member countries like
Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association, MNRE India, Sri Lanka
Sustainable Energy Authority, Renewable Energy Maldives, Mauritius Renewable
Energy Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment of
Seychelles can collaborate under CSC for R&D and in finding tidal energy
potential in all member countries as also to set up tidal power projects. Similarly,
wave energy has the potential of 40GW in India, especially along the Western
coast of India, as ocean water flow is stable. However, India has failed to tap
wave energy due to high costs and insufficient technology.29 Nonetheless,
researchers from the IIT Madras, have built and conducted successful trials of
six wave devices offshore Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, in 2022.30 Joint
collaboration in training programs can be set up that can include IIT Madras
and various research institutions from CSC member countries in joint R&D.
Additionally, financial incentives can be provided in promoting research on
wave energy to decrease the cost of energy production.
n Ocean
Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)Energy.
< It is another renewable marine energy
produced by utilising the temperature difference between warm surface water and
deep ocean cold water. Both warm and cold water have their different uses. Warm
surface water is used to vaporise any working fluid that has a low boiling
point, such as ammonia. Whereas cold deep ocean water is used to condense the
vapour back into a liquid state, releasing heat in the process. The temperature
difference causes the working fluid to expand and contract, driving a turbine
that generates electricity. The National Institute of Ocean Technology, an
institute under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), established an
OTEC plant with a capacity of 65 kilowatts (kW) in Kavaratti, India, to power
the desalination plant.31 Dan
Grech, the Founder and Managing Director of Global OTEC Resources, stated that
the Indian Ocean has enormous potential for OTEC plants to supply continuous
power in the coming years as the temperature difference on average is 20 degree
Celsius.32
< The research
paper titled ‘Assessment of extreme
and met ocean conditions
in the Maldives for OTEC applications’ in the International Journal of Energy
Research shows that OTEC could work well in the Maldives. Considering the
current power generation methods here, it would also be economically beneficial
as well.33 MoES can
cooperate with CSC members to construct OTEC energy projects in member
countries. India can start by building small-scale OTEC plants in island member
nations, and electricity can be utilised for desalination. It would ensure a
constant supply of energy to desalination plants. India is the only CSC member
nation that has successfully installed an OTEC energy plant. Other CSC member
nations are negotiating with European countries for installation of such
plants. India’s proactive steps can aid CSC members in installing OTEC power
plants, reducing their energy insecurity and making the CSC multilateral
framework robust.
Conclusion
CSC has become a
crucial platform for addressing non-traditional security challenges in the IOR.
CSC has strengthened regional stability by focusing on maritime security and
cooperation among member states. To tackle the pressing issues of climate
change and promote human security, CSC should incorporate offshore renewable
energy and marine energy because CSC focuses on the maritime domain and;
therefore, harnessing benefits from the maritime domain to tackle climate
change should be its priority. Collaborative efforts in research, training, and
project implementation can harness the region’s vast renewable energy
potential, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change
impacts. By embracing offshore renewable and marine energy, CSC can address
security challenges of 21st century and ensure a sustainable and
secure future for the IOR.
Endnotes
1 Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, “Colombo Security
Conclave: A New Minilateral for the Indian Ocean?,” Observers Research
Foundation, August 19, 2021,
https://www.orfonline.org/research/colombo-security-conclave-a-new-minilateral-for-the-indian-ocean/
2 Rajeswari
Pillai Rajagopalan, “Colombo Security Conclave: A New Minilateral for the
Indian Ocean?,” Observers Research Foundation, August 19, 2021,
https://www.orfonline.org/research/colombo-security-conclave-a-new-minilateral-for-the-indian-ocean/
3 “Indian
Coast Guard Region (North East) organises 4th Table top exercise in Kolkata
under Colombo Security Conclave to discuss maritime challenges in Indian Ocean
Region” Press Information Bureau, Government of India, March 15, 2023,
https://pib.gov.in/PressRelese Detailm.aspx?PRID=1907141 (accessed on July 07
2023).
4 P.70,
https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/ifc-ior/IFC_IOR_Annual_Report_ 2022.pdf
5 Ibid.
P.87.
6 Ibid P.29.
7 “Outcome Document of the Second NSA-Level
Meeting on Trilateral Cooperation on Maritime Security between India, the
Maldives and Sri Lanka,” Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, July
09, 2013, https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/21922/Outcome+
Document+of+the+Second+NSALevel+
8 “NSA level
meeting on trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation between India, Sri Lanka
and Maldives,” Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, March
06, 2014, https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/23037/NSA+level+meeting+on+trilateral+Maritime+Security+Cooperation+between+
India+Sri+Lanka+and+Maldives
9 “Colombo Security Conclave - 4th NSA-Level
Trilateral Meeting,” Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka, November 30, 2020,
https://www.defence.lk/Article/view_article/2658, accessed on July 10, 2023.
10 “Joint Press Statement of the 5th NSA Level
Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave held on 09 – 10 March 2022, in
Maldives,” Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, March 10,
2022, https://www.mea.
gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/34943/Joint_Press_Statement_ of_the_5th_
NSA_Level_Meeting_of_the_Colombo_Security_Conclave_held_
on_09__10_March_2022_in_Maldives
11 “First Colombo Security Conclave Virtual
Workshop on Developing Regional Cyber Security Capabilities on Defensive
operations, Deep/Dark web handling and Digital Forensics,” Press Information
Bureau, January 11, 2022, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.
aspx?PRID=1789124
12 “Colombo Security Conclave Training Programme
on Investigation of Terrorism-related Cases,” Press Information Bureau, June
28, 2022, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1837650&
“Colombo Security Conclave Virtual Conference on Investigation of Terrorism
Cases,” Press Information Bureau, April 19,
2022,https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1818066
13 Ibid.
14 “Indian Coast Guard Region (North East)
organises 4th Table top exercise in Kolkata under Colombo Security Conclave to
discuss maritime challenges in Indian Ocean Region,” Press Information
Bureau, March 15, 2023,
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1907141
15 “Colombo Security Conclave Focused Operation
Between India, Maldives and Sri Lanka,” Press Information Bureau, November
28, 2021, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1775797
16 “Colombo
Security Conclave 2nd Maritime Law Workshop Concept Note” Rashtriya Raksha
University, April 2024,
https://rru.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Colombo-Security-Conclave-Concept-Note.pdf
17 “Offshore energy Outlook” International
Energy Agency, 2018, 17,
https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/f4694056-8223-4b14-b688-164d6407bf03/WEO_2018_Special_Report_Offshore_Energy_Outlook.pdf
18 Prabir Kumar Dash “Offshore Wind Energy in
India,” Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, April 2019, p.23,
https://www.mnre.gov.in/img/documents/uploads/2e423892727a456e93a684f38d8622f7.pdf
19 “India Offshore Wind Energy” International
Trade Administration, April 27, 2023,
https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/india-offshore-wind-energy#:~:text=India’s%207%2C600%20kilometer%2Dwide%20coastline,
GW%20as%20of%20March%202023.
20 “Global
Offshore Wind Report 2022,” World Forum Offshore wind, Feb 2023,
https://wfo-global.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WFO_Global-Offshore-Wind-Report-2022.pdf
21 “India
Offshore Wind Energy” International Trade Administration.
22 “Offshore Wind,” Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy, https://mnre.gov.in/wind/offshore-wind/
23 “Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing
Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision,” Ministry of
External Affairs- Government of India, July 21, 2023,
https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?
dtl/36864/Promoting+Connectivity+Catalysing+Prosperity+IndiaSri+
Lanka+Economic+Partnership+Vision
24 Adrijana
Buljan “Sri Lanka’s Offshore Wind Roadmap Due Next Year, Gulf of Mannar
Identified for First Project,” Offshore wind, November 14, 2022,
https://www.offshorewind.biz/2022/11/14/sri-lankas-offshore-wind-roadmap-due-next-year-gulf-of-mannar-identified-for-first-project/
25 “Ocean
Energy,” Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, https://mnre.gov.in/new-technologies/ocean-energy
(accessed on July 24, 2023).
26 “Tidal energy,” National Geographic, https://education.
nationalgeographic.org/resource/tidal-energy/(accessed on July 23, 2023).
27 “Parl panel asks MNRE to set up pilot tidal
power project,” Energy World, August 6, 2021,
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/parl-panel-asks-mnre-to-set-up-pilot-tidal-power-project/85088648#:~:text=A%20Parliamentary%20panel%20has%20asked,%2C%
20tidal%20and%20ocean%2Dthermal.
28 “Parliamentary panel asks MNRE to set up pilot
tidal power project,” Business Standard, Aug. 05,
2021,https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/parliamentary-panel-asks-mnre-to-set-up-pilot-tidal-power-project-121080501582_1.html
29 Sai Arun Kiran Karthik Sunkara and Anjal
Prakash, “Wave energy’s potential for India’s sustainable future,” Forbes
India, May 2, 2023, https://www.forbesindia.com/article/isbinsight/wave-energys-potential-for-indias-sustainable-future/84701/1
30 Edin Neimarlija “India’s research institute
concludes wave energy device sea trials,” Offshore Energy, December 6,
2022, https://www.offshore-energy.biz/indias-research-institute-concludes-wave-energy-device-sea-trials/
31 Edin Neimarlija, “Ocean thermal energy to
power desalination plant in India,” Offshore Energy, February 10, 2023,
https://www.offshore-energy.biz/ocean-thermal-energy-to-power-desalination-plant-in-india/
32 “Ocean thermal energy ‘ideal’ to power
Maldives,” OTEC News, Sept 06, 2019,
http://otecnews.org/entities/ocean-thermal-energy-ideal-to-power-maldives-study/
33 Giovanni Rinaldi, et
al., “Assessment of extreme and metocean conditions in the Maldives for OTEC
applications,” International Journal of Energy Research, Vol. 43, Issue
13, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4762
@Mr Manav Saini is a Research
Assistant at the Centre for Strategic Studies and Simulation (CS3), United
Service Institution (USI) of India. He holds a Master of Arts in International
Relations from South Asian University.
Journal of the United Service Institution
of India, Vol. CLIII, No. 633,
July-September 2023.