Author: Bhagya Senaratne, Ph.D.

I am the current Postdoctoral Fellow of Global Asia at the Center for Global Asia, New York University Shanghai, China. I am also attached to Sri Lanka's Kotelawala Defence University as a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor in the United States). I am the first academic from the Faculty of Defence & Strategic Studies and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) to proceed on a postdoctoral fellowship and the only female academic at the Department of Strategic Studies to hold a doctorate. I research on areas such as Sri Lanka-China Relations, Diplomacy, Foreign Policy Analysis, Strategic Communications and Maritime Security.
Geopolitics · National Security · Regional Security · Security · South Asia

Resurgence of ISKP and its regional security implications in the Indo-Pacific

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In this episode of the IPC podcast, I explore Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) and the resurgence of the caliphate and its regional security implications with Mr. Asif Fuard. Terrorism and terrorist groups are a major cause of insecurity to countries and regions. The presence of the ISKP is not only a threat to the Central/South Asian…… Continue reading Resurgence of ISKP and its regional security implications in the Indo-Pacific

Indian Ocean Region · Indo-Pacific · International Relations

Exploring Elections in the Indo-Pacific region

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In this episode of the Indo-Pacific Circle podcasts, I explore elections in the Indo-Pacific region with Mr. Charana Kanankegamage. The year 2024 can be dubbed as the election year, as approximately 70 countries take to the polls across parliamentary and presidential elections. Mr Kanankegamage opines that trade, commerce and security partnerships will determine the aftermath…… Continue reading Exploring Elections in the Indo-Pacific region

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Sri Lankan elections and an Indian Ocean tug-of-war

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In the lead up to Sri Lanka’s Presidential election in October 2024, there have been numerous visits by foreign governments to create a good rapport with the various candidates. Visits by great powers to Sri Lanka appear to be a tradition before a national election or during global calamities. My analyses over the years indicate…… Continue reading Sri Lankan elections and an Indian Ocean tug-of-war

Defence Policy · National Security · Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Post-Independence Defence Policy: Past, Present and Future Projections

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I organised a national seminar for General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), Sri Lanka titled “Sri Lanka’s Post-Independence Defence Policy” on 2nd June 2022 to discuss the development of Sri Lanka’s Defence Policy during the period since Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. The seminar deliberated on various aspects of Sri Lanka’s defence policy…… Continue reading Sri Lanka’s Post-Independence Defence Policy: Past, Present and Future Projections

India · Indian Ocean Region · Indo-Pacific · South Asia

Exploring India’s Views on the Indo-Pacific Region

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In this podcast episode, I speak to Dr Ladhu Ram Choudhary about India’s perceptions of the Indo-Pacific. Dr Choudhary elaborates on India’s contemporary regional security architecture in the Indian Ocean and beyond. Offering a brilliant insight into India’s engagement in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the Indo-Pacific, Dr Choudhary argues, that Indian strategic thinking…… Continue reading Exploring India’s Views on the Indo-Pacific Region