CSC Table Top Exercise concludes in Visakhapatnam, boosts maritime security cooperation

Visakhapatnam, Sep 12. A three-day Table Top Exercise (TTX) under the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) concluded at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) here on September 12, with participating countries focusing on strengthening a coordinated response to illicit maritime activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The exercise, which began on September 9, brought together delegations and maritime security experts from CSC member states and observer nations for more than 72 hours of intensive discussions and simulated operational scenarios.

The exercise was inaugurated with an address by Rear Admiral Manoj Jha, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Eastern Naval Command. The discussions centred on developing a coordinated mechanism to respond to a range of non-traditional maritime security threats confronting the region.

Participants worked through simulated scenarios involving maritime terrorism, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing – threats that increasingly require coordinated responses among Indian Ocean countries.

The exercise also reviewed existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and examined ways to streamline information-sharing mechanisms among participating nations. The objective was to strengthen collective maritime domain awareness (MDA) and enable faster and more effective responses to maritime security incidents.

The exercise underscored the growing importance of cooperation among countries of the Indian Ocean in tackling threats that transcend national maritime boundaries. Enhanced information sharing and coordinated operational responses are considered critical to maintaining security and stability across the region.

The successful conclusion of the exercise reaffirmed the collective commitment of CSC member countries to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.

The exercise was also aligned with India’s broader MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision which seeks to promote greater cooperation and collective security among countries in the wider maritime neighbourhood.