Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
मनोहर पर्रिकर रक्षा अध्ययन एवं विश्लेषण संस्थान

Gulbin Sultana

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Dr Gulbin Sultana is an Associate Fellow with the South Asia Centre in the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. Her areas of research in the institute include 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.

Dr Sultana is the author of the Monograph titled “Assertion of Religion in Sri Lankan Politics: A Critical Analysis”, published in 2025. She is also the co-editor of the book titled “Think 20@G20: Towards a Resilient South Asia”, published by Pentagon Press in 2024.

She has done her MPhil on “India’s Naval Support to Sri Lanka and the Maldives” from the South Asian Studies Division of the 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.

Associate Fellow

Publication

Assertion of Religion in Sri Lankan Politics: A Critical Analysis

The monograph presents an in-depth analysis of the role of religion in Sri Lankan politics and its impact on the country in the social, political, security, and foreign policy domains. It focuses on the politics of the Sinhala-Buddhist and Muslim communities, as they have explicitly utilised their religions for political purposes in the post-independence period. To comprehend the role of religion in contemporary Sri Lankan politics, the monograph traces the evolution of the country's social and political structures, as well as the relationship between the state and religion, under various political systems and administrations from the ancient period till date. The historical and current political developments are analysed by applying the integrative theory in the context of religion and politics in Sri Lanka.

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Gulbin Sultana’s Commentary ‘Maldivian Ministerial Visits to India Strengthen Bilateral Ties Comprehensively’ Published in Maldives Republic

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s commentary ‘Maldivian Ministerial Visits to India Strengthen Bilateral Ties Comprehensively’ has been published in Maldives Republic on 12 January 2025. Discussions during the maiden visit of the Maldivian Defence Minister give a clear indication that the ruling party of the Maldives has shed its initial inhibitions about the country’s defence ties with India. The economic crisis definitely played an important role in changing Muizzu’s approach towards India. Read Complete Article [+] Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

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Gulbin Sultana’s Article ‘Dissanayake’s India visit builds trust, but India-Sri Lanka ties face a test of policy execution’ has been published in First Post

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘Dissanayake’s India visit builds trust, but India-Sri Lanka ties face a test of policy execution’ has been published in First Post on 20 December 2024.

Sri Lankan government has to walk a tightrope while managing its relations with India and China, says Dr Sultana.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

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Forthcoming Presidential Election in Sri Lanka: What to Expect?

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s commentary ‘Forthcoming Presidential Election in Sri Lanka: What to Expect?’ has been published by the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement, on 19 September 2024. https://niice.org.np/archives/9589

Sri Lanka is all geared up for one of the most crucial Presidential election on 21 September 2024. This will be the first election after the 2022 people’s uprising known as Aragalaya, writes Dr Sultana.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

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Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy of the Maldives: Implications for India

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article on ‘Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy of the Maldives: Implications for India’ has been published in National Security, Vol. 7 Issue 2 (April-June 2024).

The article argues that India should acknowledge and feel confident about its own strength, and address concerns in the bilateral relations through dialogue and engagement with all the stakeholders in Maldives rather than adopting reactive measures.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

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