The seventh National Security Advisor-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave was held in New Delhi on 20 November 2025, bringing together senior security officials from across the Indian Ocean region to strengthen cooperation on shared strategic challenges.
Hosted at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, the meeting was opened by India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. This year’s gathering marked a significant milestone for the Conclave, with Bangladesh and Seychelles transitioning from observer states to full members. Malaysia also joined the discussions as a guest participant, reflecting the grouping’s widening engagement across the region.
The Maldives was represented by National Security Advisor Ibrahim Latheef DC (retd.), who led a delegation that included Deputy National Security Advisor Hamid Shafeeg MG (retd.) and the Maldivian High Commissioner to India, Aishath Azeema.
The Colombo Security Conclave, originally formed as a trilateral framework, has grown into a broader platform for regional cooperation. Its core focus remains on addressing evolving security challenges in the Indian Ocean, with member states working on identified areas of collaboration such as maritime security, counterterrorism, efforts to combat trafficking and organised crime, cybersecurity, and humanitarian assistance.
Ahead of the main meeting, India’s National Security Advisor held discussions with the Maldivian delegation on deepening bilateral security cooperation, with capacity building highlighted as an area of potential expansion.
The Conclave continues to evolve as a forum for regional partners to coordinate policies, strengthen operational cooperation, and collectively address emerging threats in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions.
