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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 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.
India-Maldives Defence and Security Cooperation
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘India-Maldives defence and security cooperation’ got published in Financial Express on 05 May 2023.
The main purpose of the Defence Minister’s visit was to review and bolster the longstanding defence cooperation between Maldives and India, says Dr Sultana.
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IMF Bailout Package for Sri Lanka: Pros, Cons and Risks Involved
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s Oped ‘IMF bailout package for Sri Lanka: Pros, cons and risks involved’ has been published in Financial Express on 24 March 2023.
The IMF bailout package, while expected to improve the foreign reserve of the country and reduce the skyrocketing inflation the country is witnessing now; is not the ultimate solution to address Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic problems, says Dr Sultana.
Ibrahim Solih Wins Maldivian Ruling Party’s Presidential Primary Election amidst the Intra-Party Differences
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s commentary, ‘Ibrahim Solih Wins Maldivian Ruling Party’s Presidential Primary Election amidst the Intra-Party Differences’ was published in the Financial Express, on 29 January 2023.
India needs to closely monitor the domestic political developments in the Maldives in the coming months as the impact of the same would be felt in the bilateral relations between the two neighbours.
Why should India assist Crisis-ridden Sri Lanka?
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s commentary "Why should India assist Crisis-ridden Sri Lanka?’ has been published by the Kalinga International Foundation, on 31 July 2022.
India’s proactive role during the crisis is going to reduce the anti-India sentiment significantly. However, there is a caveat though. Despite the generous assistance, a section in Sri Lanka may likely to continue its anti-India propaganda; but that should not discourage India to continue its assistance to crisis-ridden Sri Lank, says Dr Sultana.
Political Uncertainty in Sri Lanka: No End in Sight
Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation is unlikely to bring the desired political outcome and the much-needed economic relief to the people of Sri Lanka.
Indian assistance to crisis ridden Sri Lanka
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article ‘Indian assistance to crisis ridden Sri Lanka’ has been published in Financial Express on 26 June 2022.
India’s assistance to Sri Lanka is in line with its policy of “neighbourhood first” and vision for “Security and Growth for All (SAGAR).” These twin principles underline India’s emphasis on emerging as a first respondent as well as working in collaboration with other countries to meet the requirements of neighbouring countries in the Region, says Dr Sultana.
Conundrum of an Island: Sri Lanka’s Geopolitical Challenges
Sri Lanka, one of the most strategic islands in the Indian Ocean, is mired in several domestic political, security and strategic challenges since the end of the armed ethnic conflict in May 2009. However, with the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and the post-war economic boom, it was largely believed that no one would shed tears anymore in the teardrop island. Such hopes and expectations were belied when the country witnessed multiple terror attacks in different locations in Colombo on 21 April 2019.
Appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as Sri Lanka PM: Solution to or part of Political Stalemate?
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s article on the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka has been published in Financial Express on 14 May 2022.
This is unfortunate that at a time when the country needs to implement effective solutions to overcome the worst economic crisis ever, the political stalemate to form an interim government since the first week of April was about to push the country towards anarchy, says Dr Sultana.
IMF Assistance as a Solution to Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s commentary ‘IMF Assistance as a solution to Sri Lanka's Economic Crisis’ has been published by the Kalinga International Foundation on 28 April 2022.
Deepening Crisis in Sri Lanka: An Opportunity for India to Displace China?
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Gulbin Sultana’s opinion piece, ‘Deepening crisis in Sri Lanka: An opportunity for India to displace China?’ has been published in First Post on 19 April 2022.
The piece analyses why expecting goodwill towards India to lead to a dampening of relations between Sri Lanka and China would be unrealistic.
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