Visakhapatnam: The three-day Table Top Exercise (TTX) conducted under the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) concluded at the Eastern Naval Command on September 11, with participating nations focusing on coordinated responses to illicit maritime activities in the Indian Ocean Region.
The exercise was held from September 9 to 11 at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam and centred on developing a “Coordinated Response to Illicit Maritime Activities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)”.
The opening address was delivered by Rear Admiral Manoj Jha, Chief Staff Officer (Operations), Eastern Naval Command.
Simulated Scenarios Test Maritime Security Coordination
Delegations and maritime security experts from CSC member states and observer nations participated in simulated operational scenarios for more than 72 hours.
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The exercise addressed a range of non-traditional maritime security threats, including:
- Maritime terrorism
- Narcotics smuggling
- Human trafficking
- Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
The scenarios provided participants an opportunity to examine responses to complex maritime situations and strengthen coordination among participating countries.
Focus on Information Sharing and Maritime Domain Awareness
A key component of the exercise was the review of existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and information-sharing mechanisms.
Participants worked on streamlining these arrangements to strengthen collective Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), enabling participating countries to improve coordination in responding to illicit activities at sea.
The exercise also underlined the importance of coordinated action against security challenges that extend beyond individual maritime jurisdictions.
CSC Reinforces Regional Maritime Security Cooperation
The conclusion of the exercise reaffirmed the collective commitment of Colombo Security Conclave countries towards peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
The exercise was also aligned with India’s MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — which emphasises greater cooperation and security in the wider Indian Ocean region.
The table-top exercise thus provided a platform for CSC members and observer nations to work through common maritime-security scenarios while strengthening operational coordination and information-sharing mechanisms.
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