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The Indo-Pacific Circle is a knowledge and networking platform that hosts early and mid-career scholars from India and ASEAN countries engaged in shaping emergent narratives in the region. A NETWORK OF THOUGHT-LEADERS FROM THE INDO-PACIFIC MEET OUR MEMBERS JOIN THE NETWORK The Indo-Pacific Circle is a knowledge and networking platform that hosts early and mid-career scholars from India and other Indo-Pacific countries. If you wish to engage with us, apply now, and we’ll be in touch soon! APPLY NOW OUR MENTORS Dr. BEC STRATING Dr. Bec Strating is the Executive Director of La Trobe Asia and a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, in the Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy at La Trobe University in Melbourne. KNOW MORE OUR RECENT WORK Dr Dhanasree Jayaram Intersectionality As The Key To Indo-Pacific Climate Action Read More Purvaja Modak 2024: Brazil’s G20 Year Read More Abhivardhan An Indo-Pacific Perspective on AI Safety Read More Sanchari Ghosh IMEC Roadblocks: India's 'Look West' Maritime Vision Hits a Snag Read More OUR JOURNAL The Indo-Pacific Review is IPC’s peer-reviewed Journal that publishes articles by network members on a number of regional emergent issues. KNOW MORE BECOME A PARTNER The Indo-Pacific Circle is keen to build partnerships with institutions that support our mission. If you are an organization that would like to partner with us, please contact us at contact@ipcircle.org . CONTACT US OUR HOST INSTITUTIONS Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) is a New Delhi based think-tank that combines rigorous academic research with policy advocacy and strategic consultancy. Read more READ MORE Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates.

International Workshop Devising A Regional Pedagogy on the Indo-Pacific The Centre for East Asian Studies(CEAS), in collaboration with the Indo-Pacific Circle conducted an international workshop from 11-13 March at Central Campus,Christ University (Bengaluru) This workshop brought together 13 IPC experts from South and Southeast Asia to collectively curate a comprehensive curriculum on the Indo-Pacific. 01 Experts engaged in rigorous discussions, knowledge sharing and collaborative exercises to develop a comprehensive curriculum on the Indo-Pacific 02 The workshop provided an inclusive, creative environment to ideate upon diverse themes crucial to understanding the Indo-Pacific 03 Delving into a wide array of topics, Experts exchanged insights on pertinent issues, leading to extensive discussions on 10 Key themes 04 The workshop included Cultural excursions & Site Visits, thus facilitating vibrant interactions among participants representing diverse regions. Meet The Experts Dr Pavithra Jayawardena Dr Niloy Ranjan Biswas Don Mclain Gill Dr Shreya Upadhyay Thong Mengdavid Dr Nansi Paulraj Munira Mustaffa Dr Sitakanta Mishra Dr Vilashini Somiah Dr Kittipos Phuttivanich Dr Ashik Bonofer Dr Helena Varkkey Dr Benjamin Loh Coordinators Dr Happymon Jacob Dr Manoharan N Dr Gaurav Saini Ashwin Dhanabalan Amba Wattal The Workshop concluded successfully and marked a significant milestone in creating a regional pedagogical framework on the Indo-Pacific. Dr N Manoharan Director, Centre for East Asian Studies, Christ University, Bengaluru HOST INSTITUTIONS Download Workshop Report

< Back Dr Shofwan Choiruzzad Shofwan al Banna Choiruzzad is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia, and is the Executive Secretary of its ASEAN Study Centre. He is also the Editor in Chief of the Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional, and the co-founder and host of the Bebas Aktif Podcast. He holds a PhD from the Graduate School of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University, and has been the recipient of multiple awards and grants including the Global Challenge Research Fund, PDUPT Grant from the Ministry of Research and Higher Education, Republic of Indonesia, and the British Academy Grant for International Partnership and Mobility. He was also an ASEAN Canada Junior Fellow in 2014/15. Publications Indonesia forges stronger ties with China to boost economy: https://theconversation.com/indonesia-forges-stronger-ties-with-china-to-boost-economy-34004 Explainer: History of the Asian-African Conference lives on: https://theconversation.com/explainer-history-of-the-asian-african-conference-lives-on-395055 The Confluence of the Two Seas: The Rise of the Indo-Pacific Region and ASEAN Centrality: https://books.google.co.in/books?id=u134DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT82&lpg=PT82&dq=The+confluence+of+the+two+seas:+The+rise+of+the+indo-pacific+region+and+ASEAN+Centrality+Shofwan+Al+Banna+Choiruzzad&source=bl&ots=LZvt8Ai3G8&sig=ACfU3U0GRuraby1jFEfA_xgS4kpZjUxEHQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs_OG65tn1AhUhyjgGHdlGDEUQ6AF6BAgCEAM#v=onepage&q=The%20confluence%20of%20the%20two%20seas%3A%20The%20rise%20of%20the%20indo-pacific%20region%20and%20ASEAN%20Centrality%20Shofwan%20Al%20Banna%20Choiruzzad&f=false

< Back Dr Josukutty Abraham Josukutty C.A. is an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Kerala and Director of its Survey Research Centre. He completed his PhD from the University of Kerala, in the subject area of Indian Politics and International Relations. He also serves as General Secretary, Association of Political Scientists, Kerala. In 2015-16, he was a Fulbright Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellow, and a SUSI Fellow in 2010. His most recent books include, ‘India's Act East Policy’, and ‘Foreign Policy of India in Southeast Asia’, both published by New Century Publications, New Delhi. His research focuses on electoral politics in Kerala and India, India’s foreign policy, Indo-US Relations, and human rights in India. Publications INDO-US CONVERGENCE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC: CHINA'S CONTAINMENT AND LINGERING CONSTRAINTS: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344587813_Some_rights_reserved_INDO-US_CONVERGENCE_IN_THE_INDO-PACIFIC_CHINA'S_CONTAINMENT_AND_LINGERING_CONSTRAINTS

b01d09dc-4d0e-4c09-b7ba-6d263014bcf7 < All op-eds India’s concern over China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific Dr. Ashok Alex Luke The Indo-Pacific is likely to be the new area of contestation as China’s growing footprint and influence in the Indian Ocean region had created concerns for the United States, India and their allies of the region. The Indo-Pacific is highly important for global trade as 55% of world’s container trade and nearly 70 % of ship borne energy transport are passing through these waters. In recent times China’s expansionist policies and its assertiveness have demolished the idea of peaceful rise. The Indian Ocean is key to China because of its trade and energy transit. There has been a dramatic change in China’s foreign policy approach especially after the advent of Xi Jinping. Today, China sees itself as the centre of global politics with an interest to brand itself as the Middle Kingdom. It continues to adopt assertive security policies towards its neighbours and is engaged in territorial disputes in both South China Sea and East China Sea. Over the years China had become more assertive in the Indian Ocean region with the ambition of becoming a larger global maritime power. It is China’s dramatic rise and India’s response to that rise that has made the operationalization of the Indo-Pacific vision possibile. Both India and the United States have called for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Former Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh previously spoke about the Chinese research vessels and fishing boats in the Indian Ocean including the Indian EEZ. Indian navy claim that four to six Chinese research vessels are presently operating in the Indian Ocean region. These research vessels are used for surveying various parameters, including currents and salinity as well as mapping the ocean floor, which will assist the PLA Navy in undertaking submarine operations in these waters. In the power struggle between the two neighbours, while China has a clear advantage over the mountainous Himalayas, India has a clear advantage in the Indian Ocean which is also a source of blue economy. India’s concerns about China’s Maritime Silk Route in the Indian Ocean region were already evident when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Seychelles and Mauritius in 2015 emphasised the need to have a “climate of trust and transparency; respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries; sensitivity to each other’s interest, peaceful resolution of maritime issues and increase in maritime cooperation”. The Malabar exercises conducted annually between the four navies of the United States, Japan, India and Australia is a response to the China factor in the Indo-Pacific. Apart from the Quad partners, India had also conducted bilateral naval exercises with countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Similarly, China too have conducted naval drills in the Indian Ocean with countries such as Iran and Russia. India in recent times have emphasized the need to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, it is now taking a more vocal stand, declaring the South China Sea as the global commons wherein all disputes should be settled in accordance with international law. In recent times China had called for a ‘forum on the development of Indian Ocean island countries’ which is similar to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s SAGAR ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region’ formed in 2015. One of the important aspects that worries the countries in Asia today is the assertiveness of China over Taiwan. For India Taiwan is important for its broader Indo-Pacific policy. China recently had sent more than 50 aircrafts into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone as a show of force. China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean and soared relations with India have led New Delhi to enhance its presence and influence in the Western Pacific which is regarded as China’s backyard. Besides the countries of South East Asia, India should also look to build ties with small Pacific islands such as Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Marshal Islands, Solomon Islands and Tonga. India should utilize its Mission Sagar project more effectively to reach out to the countries in the Indian Ocean region at the time of the crisis and reduce the influence of China in the region. (Ashok Alex Luke is an Assistant Professor at CMS College Kottayam and a Doctoral Candidate at the School of International Relations and Politics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam) Previous Next LATEST OP-EDS Dr Dhanasree Jayaram Intersectionality As The Key To Indo-Pacific Climate Action The Indo-Pacific is a dynamic region that faces a multitude of climate vulnerabilities. These climate vulnerabilities intermingle with the region’s social, economic, ecological, political, and cultural fault lines, thereby exacerbating the systemic crisis that the region’s populations are currently facing and will be facing in the future. Applying an intersectional framework is critical for developing a comprehensive understanding of varying vulnerabilities and capacities (that influence the agency of those affected) across societies. Read More Purvaja Modak 2024: Brazil’s G20 Year While Indonesia and India made some progress on negotiations on climate action, inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and the reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs), much more action is essential. Read More Abhivardhan An Indo-Pacific Perspective on AI Safety Analysing varied approaches to AI regulation in key countries, this article explores the challenges and opportunities of AI Safety in the Indo-Pacific region and discusses the need for a coordinated approach to addressing these issues. Read More

< Back Ms Shubhanginee Singh Ms Singh is a PhD candidate at Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Her research interests lie in border studies, borderland governance, and India-China studies. Presently, she is working on her PhD thesis 'Governing Borderlands: State, Communities, and Border Management in Arunachal Pradesh'. It is a comparative study of state's engagement with international borders of varied nature- peaceful and conflictual- and with people located on these borderlands. It involves the study of three border blocks in Arunachal Pradesh along China, Bhutan, and Myanmar border. She has completed my MPhil. from Centre for Political Studies, JNU in 2018. Publications

< Back Dr Ajith Balasooriya Dr. Ajith Balasooriya is a senior lecturer at the Department of International Relations in University of Colombo. He obtained his Doctoral degree from Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC), Hiroshima University, Japan in 2013. Dr. Balasoorioya is a more filed oriented researcher who currently conducting a research on Human Security at A Contested Land: Nexus between Political Security and Economic Security in Northern Sri Lanka. Publications

< Back Ms Aarshi Tirkey Aarshi Tirkey is an Associate Fellow in the Strategic Studies Programme, at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. She holds an LLM in International and Comparative Law, from the National University of Singapore. She has published several research articles, monographs and book chapters for ORF, with her research focusing on international law, its relevance and application to Indian foreign policy, such as security, trade, bilateral relations and multilateral engagements. Publications Minilaterals and The Impact on Indo-Pacific Security: https://futureshub.anu.edu.au/minilaterals-and-their-impact-on-indo-pacific-security/ Minilateralism: Weighing the Prospects for Cooperation and Governance: https://www.orfonline.org/research/minilateralism-weighing-prospects-cooperation-governance/ There’s a new front in the US-China trade and tech war: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/theres-a-new-front-in-the-us-china-trade-and-tech-war/

< Back Dr Gazala Fareedi Gazala Fareedi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, Southfield College, Darjeeling. She holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, on the topic, ‘Mediatization of Diplomacy: A Study of India’. She has authored several articles focusing on Indian Public Diplomacy and Soft Power, in journals such as World Focus, and the International Journal of Research. She has also published numerous online commentaries focusing on diplomacy, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and India-Nepal relations. Publications Challenges to the Realist Perspective During the Coronavirus Pandemic: https://www.e-ir.info/2020/05/06/opinion-challenges-to-the-realist-perspective-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic//

< Back Dr Ramya Panuganty P S Ramya is currently working as an Assistant Manager and Research Lead, at ARSLAN SRS. She completed her PhD from South Asian University, New Delhi, and is a former Research Fellow at the International Strategic and Security Studies Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies. Focused on Pakistan, Myanmar, and India’s economy and geopolitics, her research has been published in several journals including the International Journal of Geopolitics, World Focus, and ISSSP Reflections. Her specific research interests include governance and legislative development in South and Southeast Asia, and institutionalism and its relation to authoritarianism. Her upcoming book chapter in Northeast India and India’s Act East Policy: Identifying the Priorities, published by Routledge, is titled, ‘Understanding Myanmar’s Perspective on India’s Act East Policy: An Analysis’. Publications China’s Myanmar Conundrum: https://thediplomat.com/2015/04/chinas-myanmar-conundrum/ Myanmar: Under the Jackboot Again: https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/sunday-spotlight/myanmar-under-the-jackboot-again-948445.htmll Could Chinese Expansionism Push South Korea and Japan Closer Together?: https://www.statecraft.co.in/article/could-chinese-expansionism-push-south-korea-and-japan-closer-together

< Back Md. Nahiyan Shajid Khan "Md. Nahiyan Shajid Khan is Research Officer of Bangladesh Institute for International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). His research interests draw on his background of being a student of International Relations, developed through his academic activities and his engagement with various youth activism. He is currently engaged in studying the diplomatic engagements of Bangladesh in various multilateral platforms and the changing dynamics in the geopolitical landscape of Indo-pacific region. He has done his bachelor’s and master’s thesis on respectively on “Belt and Road Initiative: Security Implications on Bangladesh” and “Free & Open Indo-Pacific Strategy and Bangladesh: Opportunities and Implications for Bangladesh.” He worked as rapporteur in previously with Japan embassy funded seminar on “Geopolitics of Indo-Pacific and Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Littorals”, “Exploring Korea-Bangladesh Relations in the last five decades and beyond”, joint program of BIISS and Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies, Canada on “Rohingya Exodus in Bangladesh: Regional and Global Security Implications.” He was speech writer in EU’s Indo-Pacific Special Envoy’s Eminent person lecture series. He also worked as rapporteur, guest communicator, concept note developer and speech writer in different seminars. He has editorial experience with the book on “Militancy and National Security of Bangladesh: Policy Options and Strategic Outlook” and “Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: An Epic of a Nations Emergence and Emancipation”. He wrote a book review on “The Rohingya Crisis: A Moral, Ethnography and Policy Assessment.” He worked as a research assistant in the book chapter on “Development Trajectory and Imperatives for Vision 2041” for “Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: An Epic of a Nations Emergence and Emancipation.” Md. Nahiyan Shajid Khan obtained his Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) and Master of Social Science from the Department of International Relations, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). He has been serving at BIISS since April 2021." Publications

< Back Ms Khyati Singh A PhD Scholar at Center for United States Studies, SIS, JNU. Research Associate at Center for Air Power Studies. Did her masters from SIS, JNU. Published a range of articles concerning Indo-Pacific, AI, Cyber Security. Publications