< Back Dr Premesha Saha Premesha Saha is an Associate Fellow (Strategic Studies Programme) at the Observer Research Foundation. She holds a PhD from the Center for Indo-Pacific Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, with a thesis on ‘Indonesia’s Indian Ocean Strategy, 2004-2015’. She has formerly been an Associate Fellow at the National Maritime Foundation, and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Political Studies in Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan, Jakarta. Her primary research areas are Indonesia’s maritime strategy, the emerging dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region, India and Southeast Asia, India’s Act East Policy, Asia-Pacific multilateralism. She is presently working on research projects focusing on India-Australia defence cooperation, prospects for South Korea’s engagement with India and ASEAN, and deeper Australia-India-Indonesia trilateral cooperation, partnering with institutions such as the Australian DFAT, Korea Foundation, Australian National University (ANU), and CSIS Jakarta. Publications Securing Two Oceans: Bolstering India-Australia Defence Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: https://www.orfonline.org/research/securing-two-oceans/ India’s Role in the Emerging Dynamics of the Indo-Pacific:https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/indias-role-in-the-emerging-dynamics-of-the-indo-pacific/ The Bottom Line in Blinken’s foray into Southeast Asia: https://www.orfonline.org/research/the-bottom-line-in-blinkens-foray-into-southeast-asia

< Back Dr Marufa Akter Dr. Marufa Akter is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Global Studies and Governance in Independent University, Bangladesh. She obtained a PhD in Political Science from University of Bremen, Germany and her dissertation titled: Women’s Political Participation in Bangladesh Parliament: A Case Study Analysis of Women’s Substantive Representation. She has obtained a Masters degree in Public Policy from Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, University of Erfurt, Germany under DAAD scholarship. She also holds a Bachelor and a Master of Social Sciences degree in International Relations from University of Dhaka. She has attended a one-year graduate course on Peace building, and Conflict Transformation at the SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont, USA. She works in the areas of women and politics; gender and governance; women, peace and security; conflict resolution and peace building, climate change in Indo-pacific, and migration. Publications

< Back Ms Munira Mustaffa Ms. Munira Mustaffa founded Chasseur Group and serves as its Executive Director and principal consultant. In addition, she is a non-resident fellow at New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, a Washington, DC-based independent policy think tank, and a fellow at Verve Research, an independent research collective focusing on the relationship between the military and society in the context of political development in the Indo-Pacific region. Since 2014, she has worked professionally in the security field, including the corporate, public, and military sectors. Her work on terrorism, extremism, militancy in Southeast Asia, and cyber warfare has been published by the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, NATO's Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE), and the Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET). She obtained a Master’s degree from University College London (UCL). Publications “Social Media Discourse in Malaysia on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Rationales for Pro-Russia Sentiments”, ISEAS Perspective, 22 Apr 2022, https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2022-41-social-media-discourse-in-malaysia- on-the-russia-ukraine-conflict-rationales-for-pro-russia-sentiments-by-benjamin-y-h-loh-and-munira-mustaffa/ “Radical Right Activities in Nusantara’s Digital Landscape: A Snapshot”, Global Network on Extremism & Technology (GNET), 19 Apr 2022, https://gnet-research.org/2022/04/19/radical-right-activities-in-nusantaras-digital-landscape-a-snapshot/. “The Kadyrovtsy: Putin’s Force Multiplier or Propaganda Tool?”, New Lines Institute for Strategy & Policy, 7 Mar 2022, https://newlinesinstitute.org/russia/the-kadyrovtsy-putins-force-multiplier-or-propaganda-tool/.

< Back Ms Tinchu James Tinchu P. James an Assistant Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas College, Pala. She holds an MPhil from Kerala University, and serves as a Member of the UG and PG Boards of Studies, M G Universit, Kerala, and the Director of the St. Thomas College Women’s Forum. Publications

< Back Brendon J Cannon Brendon J. Cannon is an Assistant Professor of International Security at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Utah, USA (2009). His research is at the nexus of international relations, security studies, and geopolitics. He has published on topics related to regional security and geopolitics, the arms industry, and shifting distributions of power across the Indo-Pacific. Cannon’s articles appear in Defence Studies, Small Wars and Insurgencies, Asian Security and Third World Quarterly. His new book, edited with Kei Hakata, is Indo-Pacific Strategies: Navigating Geopolitics at the Dawn of a New Age (Routledge). Publications

< Back Ms Moitrayee Sengupta Moitrayee Sengupta has served as a Research Assistant at the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, working on a project titled ‘Disaster-induced Displacement: Developing a Normative Framework and International Policy’. She has also worked as a Research Intern for Dr Bishawjit Mallick — Chair of Environmental Development and Risk Management, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, focusing on ‘Historical Grounding of Migration Decisions of the People at Environmental Risks’, funded by the European Union. She holds an MPhil from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Publications A Triple Crisis in the Indian Sundarbans https://www.sylff.org/news_voices/28796/

< Back Dr Dhanasree Jayaram Dhanasree Jayaram is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Geopolitics & International Relations (DGIR), Manipal Academy of Higher Education. She received her PhD from the Department in 2018, on the topic, ‘Military Dimensions of Environmental Security: An Indian Perspective’. She is also the Coordinator for the Centre for Climate Studies, MAHE, and a Project Associate at the Manipal Advanced Research Group Website Project. She is a former Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies, a Pre-doctoral Fellow at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and a Post-doctoral Fellow at the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies. Her most recent book, is titled ‘Climate Diplomacy and Emerging Economies: India as a Case Study’, published by Routledge, London. Publications China’s Geoengineering Push Dangerous for the Region: https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/chinas-geoengineering-push-dangerous-region Kerala Should get its ‘Sustainable’ Priorities Right: https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/opinion/kerala-get-sustainable-priorities-right

< Back Dr Ladhu Choudhary Ladhu Ram Choudhary is an Assistant Professor, at the Department of Political Science, University of Rajasthan. He holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, with a thesis titled, ‘Explaining Jointness in Military Affairs: A Case Study of the Indian Military’, and has also served as a Teaching Assistant, for national security and international relations. His research areas include International Relations Theory, Geopolitics, Contemporary Diplomacy, Nuclear Politics, Indian Foreign and Security Policy, and Military strategy. He is an Associate Member at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Analyses, New Delhi, and the British International Studies Association, UK. He has published several research articles on themes such as India-Pakistan relations, nuclear track-II diplomacy, and disarmament, in journals including South Asian Journal of Diplomacy and Political Science Review. The most recent book co-authored by him is titled, ‘Indian Foreign Policy: Identity and Issues’, published by Rawat Publications. Publications SAV Review: What Drives Doctrinal Change in the Indian Army? https://southasianvoices.org/explaining-transformation-indian-army-doctrine/ Review: Rescuing the Debate on Indian Soft Power from Joseph Nye https://thewire.in/books/review-rescuing-indias-soft-power-from-joseph-nyes-conceptualisation

< Back Ms Jane Chan Jane Chan is a Senior Fellow at, and Coordinator of, the Maritime Security Programme at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. She holds an LLB from the University of Tasmania and an MSc. in International Relations from Nanyang Technological University. Her research areas include maritime security, law and order at sea, and regional institutions and confidence building measures. Publications Maritime Security Hubs Need to Step Up Cooperation: https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/maritime-security-hubs-need-to-step-up-cooperationn

Volume 2, Issue 2 (July-Dec) 2024 ISSN: 3049-1800 26 March 2025 The Indo-Pacific Review is pleased to present its Capstone Special Edition. This special issue brings together the collaborative work of two research groups, offering fresh and critical perspectives on the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. This issue explores two distinct yet interrelated studies that challenge conventional understandings of the region: Large Ocean States (LOS) and Great Power Politics in the Indo-Pacific and Contemporary Readings of Colonial Borders of the Indo-Pacific. These studies offer new perspectives that are often overlooked in Indo-Pacific scholarship, which remains largely dominated by state-centric discourses on security and geopolitics. The first study, Large Ocean States (LOS) and Great Power Politics in the Indo-Pacific, is explored by Dr. Nansi Paulraj, Angshuman Choudhury, Dr. Anand V., and Dr. Sitakanta Mishra. Their research shifts the analytical lens from great power rivalries to the agency of Large Ocean States (LOS)—nations whose expansive maritime presence is often marginalized in regional discourse. By centering the perspectives of LOS, this issue highlights their role as norm-setters in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in reframing security narratives. The second study, Contemporary Readings of Colonial Borders of the Indo-Pacific, is examined by Dr. Pavithra Jayawardena, Dr. Vilashini Somiah, Dr. Kittipos Phuttivanich, and Dr. Ashik Bonofer. Their research critically reassesses how borders within the region are conceptualized beyond the nation-state framework. Traditional analyses often prioritize state-centric security and geopolitical contestations, whereas this issue foregrounds the lived experiences of communities and individuals navigating these borders. By engaging with transnationalism and cross-border interactions, their work examines how territorial demarcations are imagined, experienced, and contested at multiple levels. Article List Indo-Pacific Review Capstone Special Edition Download Article Large Ocean States (LOS) and Great Power Politics in the Indo-Pacific Dr Nansi Paulraj Angshuman Choudhury Dr Anand.V Dr Sitakanta Mishra Download Article The Historical Evolution of Oceania: From Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to Large Ocean States (LOS) in the Indo-Pacific Dr Nansi Paulraj Download Article How Large Ocean States Look at Security in the Indo-Pacific Angshuman Choudhury Download Article How Large Ocean States See China’s Rise in the Indo-Pacific Dr Anand V Download Article Looking and Acting Beyond East: India’s Tryst with the Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) Dr Sitakanta Mishra Download Article Contemporary Readings of Colonial Borders of the Indo-Pacific Dr. Pavithra Jayawardena Dr. Vilashini Somiah Dr Kittipos Phuttivanich Dr Ashik Bonofer Download Article Borders of the Indo-Pacific: Sri Lankan Forced and Voluntary Migrants Dr Pavithra Jayawadena Download Article Unmoored Boundaries: Bajau Laut and Mobility Perspectives in Maritime Southeast Asia Dr Vilashini Somiah Download Article Myth and Reality of New Chinese Migration to Thailand: A Case Study for the Indo-Pacific Community Dr Kittipos Phuttivanich Download Article Transnationalism and Mobile Communities in the IndoPacific: Designing Stronger Policies Dr Ashik J Bonofer Download Article

< Back Mr Satria Rizaldi Alchatib Satria Rizaldi Alchatib is a University Lecturer and Head of Diplomacy and International Cooperation Laboratory at the Department of International Relations, Universitas Slamet Riyadi. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratic Governance from the National Research University Higher School of Economics. Satria was previously a full-fledged SDG’s young leader and activist for a number of award-winning organizations including the ASEAN Youth Leaders Association and World Youth Alliance. He has represented Indonesia in various key-opinion forums including the 12th International Solidarity Forum at the United Nations and the 50th Commemoration of Asian African Cooperation in Bandung. His research interests lie in maritime security and humanitarian intervention in ASEAN and the broader Indo-Pacific region. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9959-9951 Publications

< Back Dr Shaheli Das Shaheli Das is presently serving as a Senior Research Officer (Foreign Policy) at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi. She holds an MPhil (with a specialisation on China) from the University of Delhi. She has formerly worked a Strategic Sector Cooperation Program Officer in the Political & Economic Section at the Royal Danish Embassy, New Delhi. She has also held the posts of Visiting Fellow at the Fudan Development Institute, Junior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, and Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies. Publications Does China Really Want a ‘Just and Fair’ International Order?: https://thediplomat.com/2016/10/does-china-really-want-a-just-and-fair-international-order/ Why is China escalating tensions in the East China Sea?: https://www.policyforum.net/china-escalating-tensions-east-china-sea/ Is Latin America of Strategic Importance to China?: https://thediplomat.com/2016/12/is-latin-america-of-strategic-importance-to-china/