Darshana Baruah appointed as Director of Security & Geopolitics at AII

Sydney, June 27 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

Darshana M. Baruah has been named the new Director of Security and Geopolitics at the Australia India Institute (AII), Australia’s foremost think tank dedicated to fostering the Australia-India relationship and enhancing understanding of the Indo-Pacific region.

Baruah transitions into this role from Washington D.C., where she previously led the Indian Ocean Initiative at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Baruah has made notable contributions to maritime security, the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, and the role of island nations in the IndoPacific. At Carnegie, she convened the annual Indo-Pacific Islands 1.5-track dialogue, a key forum addressing maritime security, environmental sustainability, and economic development, bringing island nation perspectives to the forefront of global discussions. Among her achievements, Baruah conceptualized the Indian Ocean interactive map, an innovative digital tool that underscores the strategic importance of geographic features, trading routes, and maritime security in the region. This map serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the public, enhancing understanding and strategic analysis.

Her primary research focuses on the security and geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific, examining naval strategies, maritime partnerships, foreign policy, and island agency.

Baruah's extensive experience includes tenures at leading think tanks in Delhi and Tokyo, as well as significant research periods in Hawaii and Canberra, where she advanced her expertise in maritime security and the IndoPacific.

“Ms. Baruah’s leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our initiatives and foster deeper collaboration between Australia and India on defence and security issues. As a scholar who has achieved remarkable success in a traditionally male-dominated field, her journey is already inspiring and exemplary,” said AII CEO Lisa Singh.

“As we expand our research capability and policy work addressing ongoing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, Ms. Baruah’s extensive expertise and strategic analysis will make her an invaluable addition to our team.”

Under Baruah’s leadership, AII’s security and geopolitics program will develop new research streams and convene discussions on geopolitics, security, island agency, and the maritime domain. Baruah is also the author of "The Contest for the Indian Ocean: And the Making of a New World Order," set to be published by Yale University Press in August 2024. She will commence her role as Director of Security and Geopolitics on July 1.