India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka Take a Step Forward in Maritime Cooperation: NSA Trilateral Secretariat established
In keeping with the discussions held at the previous National Security Advisor (NSA)-level trilateral meetings on Maritime Security Cooperation with India and the Maldives, a Secretariat for Trilateral National Security Advisors on Maritime Security Cooperation was established at the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Headquarters, Colombo yesterday- according to the statement issued by the Srilanka’s Ministry of Defence.
The entire world is benefitted with this initiative as the Indian Ocean is the lifeline of the entire world, said the Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Colombage during the event while expressing his concerns into the importance of the Indian Ocean.
It was decided to establish a secretariat for the convenience of future conclaves based on an agreement reached at the 04th NSA-level trilateral meeting hosted in Colombo on November 28, 2020, with the participation of defence chiefs from three participating countries. According to the Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the Newly formed secretariat will be operational 24/7.
Sri Lanka hosted the fourth NSA-level trilateral meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation with India and the Maldives on Nov 27 and 28, 2020 in Colombo while Bangladesh, Seychelles and Mauritius represented the meeting virtually as Observer States. (Colombo Gazette)
