Why in the news?

  • India hosted the 7th Colombo Security Conclave and admitted Seychelles as a permanent member of the grouping.

Colombo Security Conclave

  • Overview: The Colombo Security Conclave was established in 2020, when India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives agreed to expand the scope of their trilateral meeting on maritime cooperation. 
  • Objective: To promote regional security by jointly addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern.
  • Pillars of Cooperation: Maritime security, counterterrorism, combating transnational organised crime, cyber security & humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
  • Members: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius & Bangladesh

Seychelles

  • Location: It is an island country and archipelagic state consisting of 155 islands (as per the Constitution) in the Indian Ocean.
  • Capital: Victoria
  • Maritime Border Countries: Madagascar, Kenya.
  • Climate: Tropical Climate
  • International Grouping: African Union, the Indian Ocean Commission, Commonwealth of Nations