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Dr Gulbin Sultana is a Research Analyst with the South Asia Centre in the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. Her area of research in the institute includes Sri Lanka and the Maldives. She has written extensively on the politico-economic and foreign policy developments of these two countries. Additionally, Dr Sultana takes interest in the study of small island states particularly in the Indian Ocean Region and also issues pertaining to maritime security. She has done her MPhil on "India's Naval Support to Sri Lanka and the Maldives" from the South Asian Studies Division of School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She was awarded a PhD degree too by the same university. Her doctoral thesis was on "Sri Lanka’s Maritime Security: A Study of Military and Non-military Responses." Before joining MP-IDSA, she worked with the National Maritime Foundation and the United Service Institution of India in New Delhi. She is also a visiting fellow with the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement.
Publications
- “Future of the LTTE” World Focus, 29:10, October 2008
- “Sri Lankan State and its Military Successes” World Focus, 30:7, July 2009
- “Chronology on India-Sri Lanka Relations” published in S. Liyanage, P.Sahadevan & A. Kinra, eds. (2009), Intra-State Conflicts & inter-state Relations, Colombo: South Asia Pacific Institute
- “Future of the Tamils in Sri Lanka”, Strategic Perspective, January-March 2010.
- Book Review: Ashoka Bandarage, The Separatist Conflict in Sri Lanka: Terrorism, Ethnicity, Political Economy (London: Routledge, 2009), India Quarterly, March 2010, 66: 129-131.
- “18th Amendment: Making a Mockery of Democracy in Sri Lanka”, IDSA Comment, October 7, 2010.
India reacts to the “India Out” campaign in the Maldives
Research Analyst, Dr. Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘India reacts to the “India Out” campaign in the Maldives’ has been published in Financial Express on July 7, 2021.
Attack on Mohamed Nasheed and Challenges Ahead for the Maldives
The attack on Mohamed Nasheed has exposed Maldives’ vulnerability to acts of terrorism. The biggest test for President Solih is to overcome the challenges to tackling national security threats and address the concerns of the liberal Maldivians.
‘Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act’ breeds Economic and Geostrategic Concerns
Research Analyst, MP-IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana's article 'Colombo Port City Economic Commission breeds economic and Geostrategic Concerns' has been published in the Financial Express on June 02, 2021.
The act provides for the establishment of the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ); and the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC), writes Dr. Sultana.
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India-Maldives: Continuing Momentum of Bilateral Engagement
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Gulbin Sultana’s commentary ‘India-Maldives: Continuing Momentum of Bilateral Engagement’ got published by the external services division of All India Radio (AIR) on April 19, 2021.
Since 2018, efforts have been on, both from India and the Maldives to strengthen and re-energize bilateral relations between the two close neighbours. High-level bilateral visits are testimony to the commitment of both sides to continue the momentum, writes Dr. Sultana.
Issues in India-Sri Lanka Ties
India’s stand at the United Nations Human Rights Council on the resolution relating to human rights situation in Sri Lanka should be based on its long-term interests in the teardrop island.
Inauguration of NSA Trilateral Secretariat: A step forward for maritime security cooperation with Sri Lanka, and the Maldives
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Gulbin Sultana’s Op-Ed ‘Inauguration of NSA Trilateral Secretariat: A step forward for maritime security cooperation with Sri Lanka, and the Maldives’ has been published in the Financial Express on March 04, 2021.
India-Sri Lanka Partnership Based On Mutual Sensitivity
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Gulbin Sultana’s Commentary ‘India-Sri Lanka Partnership Based On Mutual Sensitivity’ has been published by All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an External Services Division of AIR, on January 08, 2020.
The commentary analyses India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka as significant. It has conveyed the message that India will always be a dependable partner and reliable friend of Sri Lanka.
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India, Sri Lanka and Maldives to discuss security concerns; Maritime Cooperation also on agenda
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘India, Sri Lanka and Maldives to discuss security concerns; Maritime Cooperation also on agenda’ has been published in the Financial Express on November 27, 2020.
Foreign Secretary’s Visit Bolsters India-Maldives Ties
Research Analyst, Dr. Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘Foreign Secretary’s Visit Bolsters India-Maldives Ties’ has been published by All India Radio (AIR) World Service, an external services division of AIR, on November 12, 2020.
The future of India-Maldives relations looks positive, as both governments are committed to strengthen the bilateral ties. The continued engagement between the two countries at the highest level is desirable for the smooth implementation of the agreed projects, writes Dr. Sultana.
Sri Lanka’s ‘India-First Policy’: Should India be complacent?
Research Analyst, Dr. Gulbin Sultana’s Op-Ed ‘Sri Lanka’s ‘India-First Policy’: Should India be complacent?’, has been published in ‘The Financial Express’ on October 15, 2020.
India must engage, understand, and assist Sri Lanka in a non-reciprocal manner, but it has to ensure that it is not taken for granted under any circumstance. India should not be complacent with the policy announcement from Colombo and must insist that India’s concerns and interests should be taken due care of, writes Dr. Sultana.