Dr Apila Sangtam

I am delighted to share that my commentary, titled "Defence Exports between India and the Philippines: Opportunities and Challenges," has been published in the special issue "Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance) in Defence and Aeronautics” of the Journal of Defence Studies.

"The U.S. Is Pushing Southeast Asia Toward China. The Iran War Made It Worse." by Joshua Kurlantzick cfr.org/experts/joshua…

Neighbours first: @the_hindu Editorial On India-Nepal ties after the swearing in of new PM Balen Shah thehindu.com/opinion/editor…

Asian Confluence hosted a closed-door roundtable titled “India’s Neighbourhood: Myanmar and the Evolving Regional Landscape” in Shillong on 11 March 2026. The discussion was attended by Ms. Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary (PP&R and CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs, along with a high-level delegation from the MEA’s PP&R Division, Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), and Border Cell. Participants discussed political and security developments in Myanmar, fencing along the Indo–Myanmar border, and changes to the Free Movement Regime (FMR), as well as their implications for India's Act East Policy and connectivity projects in the region. @MEAIndia @aparnaray_ifs @bpandanehu @k_yhome @KonsamHimalay @Rejaul @biswajitmohptra @nehu_shg @IndiainMyanmar @MyanmarEmbDelhi #myanmar #india #ActEastPolicy #NeighbourhoodFirst

Greater connectivity, stronger trade linkages and deeper regional cooperation are essential to unlocking the strategic and economic potential of Northeast India. These themes formed the core of discussions at a dialogue on “Northeast India: Connectivity, Trade, Industry, Border Affairs, Regional Cooperation, Infrastructure & Governance Challenges” held at Gauhati University on March 10, 2026. The programme was organised under the Regional Outreach Programme with Northeast India’s Think Tanks by the Policy Planning and Research Division, Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Centre for South East Asian Studies, Gauhati University. The experts and scholars exchanged views on connectivity, trade, border issues, regional cooperation and governance challenges in Northeast India, while highlighting the region’s growing importance in India’s broader strategic and economic engagement with its neighbourhood. The programme was attended by Ms. Aparna Ray (IFS), Joint Secretary, Policy Planning and Research Division, CCCS, Ministry of External Affairs; Col K Shanaz, SRF, CCCS; Col Ratul Mittal, SRF, CCCS; Lt. Col Abhishek Acharya, SRF, CCCS; Lt. Col Ravi Chandra, Boundary Cell; Lt. Col Stuti Sharma, PPR Division; Ms. Pragya Pratishtha, AD, CCCS; Mr. Veeresh Kanduri, Consultant, PPR Division; Ms. Jayshree Borah, Consultant, CCCS; Ms. Shreya Mishra, Consultant, CCCS; and Ms. Apila Sangtam, CCCS. The dialogue was also attended by Vice Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta; Registrar Prof. Utpal Sarma; Academic Registrar Prof. Rajib Handique; the Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, and research scholars from various departments of Gauhati University. #NorthEast #ActEastPolicy @MEAIndia @ngmahanta

Assam’s unique role as the cultural and strategic gateway of Northeast India and its growing importance in India’s engagement with ASEAN continues to shape regional dialogue and cooperation. The Centre for South East Asian Studies, Gauhati University, hosted a dialogue on “Northeast India: Connectivity, Trade, Industry, Border Affairs, Regional Cooperation, Infrastructure & Governance Challenges” with the Policy Planning and Research Division, Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. As CCCS revives its Northeast outreach to better understand ground realities of the Act East Policy, Gauhati University remains committed to supporting dialogue, research and policy engagement on issues shaping the region’s future. #ActEastPolicy @Laxmanacharya54 @dpradhanbjp @himantabiswa @MEAIndia @GauhatiUniv

Proud to have been a part of the editorial team working on the book at @MeluhaMaritime along with @ApilaMongzar @poojasbhatnagar and @varunpendse. Grab your copy soonest!

President Trump just spoke with Prime Minister Modi. STAY TUNED…

The G-2 shock but who had the upper hand? My latest for the ⁦@EconomicTimes⁩ on the Trump-Xi meet.

BREAKING 🚨 HAL & Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. sign MoU for production of Sukhoi SuperJet SJ-100 passenger jets. Aimed at UDAN Scheme in India, HAL now has rights to manufacture SJ-100 aircraft for domestic customers.

I spoke on #maritimesecurity and #regionalcooperation from an Indian perspective, and it was energising to see such passionate and curious minds coming together to explore, question, and shape the future of this dynamic and pivotal region.

It was truly an honour to speak to a distinguished cohort of emerging scholars of the Indo-Pacific 2025 I am delighted to have been part of this inspiring gathering and deeply grateful to Dr Hugh Tuckfield for the kind invitation-as a special guest speaker.

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My article in the Indian Express on the foreign policy predicament India is facing. ⁦@OUPAcademic⁩ ⁦@WestlandBooks⁩

Looking forward for this important discussion on 13 August. Thank you for all those who have registered. See you!

Grateful to contribute to this timely conversation on shaping a resilient and inclusive Indo-Pacific between India-Philippines, one that holds immense potential in shaping a resilient and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

I had the privilege of sharing my perspective at the Jakarta Futures Forum during the India–Philippines Track 2 Strategic Dialogue between ORF and Starbase ADRi. #jakartaFutureForum #supplychainresilience #minilat #maritimesecurity

Looking forward for the interesting discussions tomorrow at Jakarta. Thanks to ORF for this opportunity!

Although trade volumes have expanded, India's investment footprint in the region remains heavily skewed, with over 95 per cent of its outward FDI concentrated in Singapore, raising concerns about the depth and diversification of its economic engagement.

I write for @9DashLine , as d 4th-largest economy N a preferred security partner N first responder, India stands at a strategic crossroads in its engagement with SEA. The 10th anniversary of the AEP offers a timely opportunity to translate strategic intent into tangible results.

While notable progress has been made in strengthening diplomatic and defence ties with ASEAN countries, the policy’s economic dimension reveals stark imbalances.