A three-day Tabletop Exercise (TTX) conducted under the aegis of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) concluded successfully on September 11 at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam.
The exercise, which began on September 9, was inaugurated with an address by Rear Admiral Manoj Jha, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Eastern Naval Command. The exercise focused on developing a “Coordinated Response to Illicit Maritime Activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).”
Delegations and maritime security experts from CSC member states and observer nations participated in intensive simulated operational scenarios over more than 72 hours. The exercise addressed a range of non-traditional maritime security challenges, including maritime terrorism, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Participants also reviewed existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and worked towards streamlining information-sharing mechanisms to strengthen collective Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and improve coordination among participating nations.
The successful conclusion of the exercise reaffirmed the collective commitment of Colombo Security Conclave countries to promoting peace, stability and prosperity across the Indian Ocean Region.
The exercise is also aligned with India’s MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—which emphasises greater cooperation and collective security in the region.
