Nilanthi Samaranayake
@nilanthis
Followers
2K
Following
5K
Media
93
Statuses
756
Analyzes Indian Ocean security; writing book on Smaller South Asian states in major power rivalry. @EWCinWashington+former USIP. https://t.co/s6NFZ02ApO Pers. view
Washington
Joined November 2008
My new piece for @perryworldhouse on the future of US minilateralism in the Indian Ocean. I mostly discuss the Quad & India engagement in the new Trump admin. Also I consider the extent that the US wants to burden-share/shift vs. burden-shoulder in the IOR
0
1
5
I'm looking forward to the #JakartaFuturesForum2025 and our discussion on "Securing the Blue Commons: Cooperation for an Indo-Pacific Maritime Order." .Full agenda and list of speakers below: .cc @EWCinWashington .#IndianOcean #IndoPacific #marsec.
orfonline.org
Indonesia plays an increasingly significant role in the new global order. It has the world’s fourth-largest population and is one of the fastest-growing economies.
@samirsaran @CSISIndonesia @IndianEmbJkt @sandiplomat @MalikAshok @sinder32 @Lisa_Singh @sunaina_kumar @kenj0126 @RachelRizzo @cuci_ornela @SmiechLiliana @panova_victoria @dbelemlopes @ramindesai @RobertKaan @corteva @The_Mwanikilet @ChhaviRajawat_ @GopaulP @SonamYa38083941 @Shruti_2192 @anitnath Securing the Blue Commons: Cooperation for an Indo-Pacific Maritime Order. Featuring: Paco Milhiet, @ChevaanDaniel, Ippeita Nishida, @sayantan_h & @nilanthis. Know more: @CSISIndonesia @IndianEmbJkt
0
0
2
US-Bangladesh defense cooperation continues, including with the Tiger Shark exercise. @BangladeshNavyX @bimradbd. #IndianOcean #BayofBengal.
Closing ceremony of the 41st iteration of Tiger Shark 2025, a joint military exercise integrating medical training, marksmanship, and water rescue. This symbolizes the strong U.S.-Bangladesh partnership and a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific. #BangladeshNavy
0
0
1
Big week not only for US-India relations, but also US relations with the #SmallerSouthAsian countries. -US tariffs on Bangladesh and Sri Lanka landed on 20% (10% BH, NP, MV). -US officially confirmed to Nepal intent to continue Millennium Challenge Corp.
नेपालमा एमसीसी परियोजना जारी रहने. अमेरिकी सरकारले गरेको वैदेशिक सहायता समीक्षाले मिलेनियम च्यालेन्ज कर्पोरेसन (एमसीसी) नेपाल सम्झौताको कार्यान्वयनलाई निरन्तरता दिन सिफारिस गरेको छ र हामीले नेपाल सरकारलाई यस निर्णयबारे सूचित गराएका छौँ ।. पचास करोड डलर ��राबरको एमसीसी सम्झौता र
0
0
1
RT @orfonline: @kenj0126 @CSISIndonesia @IndianEmbJkt .@nilanthis, Adjunct Fellow, East-West Centre, United States of America, will join us….
0
1
0
The new issue of @SRJSeychelles has just been published: SRJ is seeking contributions for the next issue: Articles, research notes, conference reports, and book reviews. Editor contact details: #SmallStates #IndianOcean #SIDS
0
0
1
Pleased to speak with @SCMPNews's @JunaidKathjoo about India-Maldives relations & President Muizzu's foreign policy approach amid Prime Minister Modi's historic state visit. cc @EWCinWashington .#SmallStates #SmallerSouthAsian countries #IndianOcean.
scmp.com
India’s willingness to support the Maldives through its economic woes has helped shift Male’s stance to one of cooperation, analysts say.
0
1
3
Stark contrast from 2015 when PM Modi did not visit Maldives for its 50th independence day under Pres. Yameen. Now, both 🇲🇻&🇮🇳 identified a path forward while meeting their basic requirements (MV: no foreign mil troops, IN: maritime surveillance). Read me:
0
0
0
Ambassador Chung confirms that the @SriLanka_Navy will receive a 4th retired US Coast Guard cutter from the US later in 2025. For Sri Lanka's approach to maritime security, read my chapter in this book edited by Ian Hall, @DrTLeeBrown & @becstrating:
routledge.com
This book advances a holistic conceptualisation of maritime security, under the term ‘Blue Security’, and situates it in states across the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific encompasses a vast space,...
Appreciated the warm welcome and thoughtful discussion last night—as the first U.S. Ambassador to address faculty and students at Sri Lanka's Defense Services Command and Staff College, I emphasized that economic security & national security go hand in hand. The U.S. & Sri Lankan
0
0
2
Maldivian nationals: "The Program is offered to Maldivian nationals currently residing in Maldives with an undergraduate degree and at least five years of professional experience.".
Apply now for the 2026-2027 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in the U.S.!. Grow your network, boost your skills, and drive change locally & globally. Deadline: Aug 7. 🔗 Apply: 📅 Info session – July 30 :
0
0
2
Based on Reuters' reporting, the US State Dept instruction on foreign elections appears to build on Pres. Trump's Riyadh speech. This policy is likely to have a discernible impact on policy in South Asian/Indian Ocean countries, especially US reactions to elections in Bangladesh.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed US diplomats worldwide not to comment on the fairness or integrity of elections conducted by foreign countries, according to an internal note seen by Reuters
0
0
0
🇮🇳 EAM Jaishankar called for China to resume hydro data-sharing after his meeting in China today. It's vital for flood forecasting along the Brahmaputra River, which runs through China, India, and Bangladesh.
mea.gov.in
EAM's visit to China and meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister
RTI by @IndiaToday: "According to the ministry, the agreement between India and China on sharing hydrological data for the Brahmaputra river expired on June 5, 2023.". Concerning b/c of the need for flood forecasting, Bangladesh. Read our book (free):
0
0
1
I appreciated the opportunity to discuss Bangladesh at @EWCinWashington along with @SatuLimaye, @Aparna_Pande, & Amb Farooq Sobhan. I focused on US-Bangladesh relations and considerations for the US approach in the context of Indian Ocean strategy. Video:
0
1
5
China says Germany's claim of lasered aircraft is "totally inconsistent with the facts known by the Chinese side," in a story by Sean Seddon. We haven't seen this kind of disruption to Indian Ocean security since 2018 when China used lasers against US Air Force crews in Djibouti.
China rejects German claim it targeted military plane with laser
0
0
1
Major threat to Indian Ocean security as well as Germany. The last time the region saw this activity was when China used lasers against US Air Force crews operating in Djibouti in 2018. Allied/partner vigilance against threats disrupting the IOR order:
Germany accuses China of laser targeting aircraft in EU mission
0
0
1
RT @Geeta_Mohan: Why is the U.S. dropping ‘Indo-Pacific’ and using the erstwhile term 'Asia-Pacific'?. Is a major shift underway in U.S. fo….
0
9
0
Two mentions of "Asia-Pacific" with readout below and SECDEF tweet on meeting with 🇮🇳 EAM Jaishankar. Could be just a blip, or interesting if it suggests a shift in Pentagon planning for sub-regions of the Indo-Pacific (WESTPAC vs. Indian Ocean). For NDS.
defense.gov
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with India's Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar to discuss the defense partnership and close cooperation between the United States and India.
0
0
1
I enjoyed speaking at the @OtagoSchool conference on "Small Powers and Strategic Competition in the Indo-Pacific." Focusing on the Indian Ocean, I presented a framework of how Sri Lanka & Maldives manage large powers and domestic interests. #SmallStates.
otago.ac.nz
Information about this year's Otago Foreign Policy School and National Security School. The Schools are usually held every year.
0
0
1
Six months later: 1) No SOP from Sri Lanka on which research ships can pay port visits, including from China; 2) A missed opportunity to collaborate with a UN FAO research ship. #SmallStates. Reporting by.@rathindra984:.&.@KelumDM:.
dailymirror.lk
Despite the green light, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) research vessel “Dr Fridtjof Nansen” is unlikely to visit Sri Lanka since approval came late, making timely scheduling for...
Expect a revised SOP from #SriLanka's new govt on research ship visits, incl from #China. Read my @USIP analysis of the origin of this controversy, with a history of how #SmallerSouthAsian countries shape large powers' basing & access in the #IndianOcean.
0
1
5
Telling quote from 🇮🇳 that informs the strategy of Smaller South Asian countries:."At the end of the day, the logic every one of our neighbours must realise is that working with India will give you benefits; not working with India has a cost" (at 23:36)
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India News: External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasized that India must be prepared to confront China, especially after the Galwan clash, and highlighted the
1
0
0
In the debate over regional priorities & Iran, "Indo-Pacific" really means Western Pacific. Iran used to be a pillar of US security interests in the Indian Ocean under the Shah, yet has come to represent the land-centrism of Afghanistan & Iraq. Q for IOR strategy in the NSS & NDS.
Restrainers call for a focus on Asia. Neoconservatives push for no enrichment, no reprocessing, no strategic missiles and a full dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program. Trump says Israel and Iran have agreed to 'complete' ceasefire
0
1
3