Analyzes Indian Ocean security; forthcoming book (see URL); US alliances & partnerships. @EWCinWashington. Personal views. https://teapawt.org/t.co/s6NFZ02ApO
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My thoughts on WSJ story: 1) Both Iran & US are targeting outside the CENTCOM AOR (INDOPACOM); 2) It's a rare moment in the era of the "Indo-Pacific" region when the Indian Ocean theater has more hotspots than the Pacific theater; 3) Watching for IO Zone of Peace discourse again
New: Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a U.S.-U.K. base in the Indian Ocean, per officials. Neither hit the base, but the move marks a significant attempt by Iran to reach far beyond the Middle East to threaten the U.S. wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-us…
After political instability in the past two years, Bangladesh and Nepal will remain LDCs (Least Developed Countries) through 2029 due to the UN resolution. Reposting my June piece for @EWCinWashington about US relations with Nepal and Bangladesh.
#SmallerSouthAsian countries
My new piece for @EWCinWashington on US relations with Bangladesh and Nepal under new governments. We've seen early and active US diplomacy, and there are opportunities for economic and defense cooperation going forward.
#SmallerSouthAsian countries
eastwestcenter.org/publicati…
Strong US-Nepal security cooperation continues on disaster management: "The United States will provide Nepal with more than $150 million worth of American-made helicopters, drones and riverboats to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities,"
US to provide Nepal with over $150 million in disaster response equipment | The Annapurna Express theannapurnaexpress.com/stor…
Nilanthi Samaranayake retweeted
@USARPAC and the @BDArmyOfficial were joined by the @OregonGuard for the 10th Land Forces Talks in Dhaka. The discussion focused on expanding joint training and deepening military cooperation, advancing a shared commitment to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.
Milestone for Maldives' big port project at Thilafushi, with transition from Malé's commercial harbor. To be finalized next year.
Today marks a significant milestone for Maldives Ports Limited as we begin migrating operations from Malé Commercial Harbour to the Thilafushi.
As a first step, we have commenced handling of FCL containers cleared by sea transport at Thilafushi Cargo Terminal (TCT), where unstripped containers are loaded directly onto vessels.
We will be expanding services in the near future to include cargo stripped from containers.
Full migration is expected to be completed by November 11, 2027.
#mpl #maldivesportslimited #portoftomorrow #portrelocationproject #mplhidhumathugaa
Active US Indian Ocean policy in the past 2 yrs, but this is framed as being about the Pacific: USS Colorado will be the first submarine at SRF-West in Australia for AUKUS in 2027--"a decisive step in strengthening collective deterrence in the Pacific."
war.gov/News/Releases/Releas…
Second visit to Colombo this year by littoral combat ship USS Canberra. Follows recent US assistance to modernize Colombo Port's operations through a digitizing project.
Sri Lanka's medical evacuation of Iranian sailors: "'We rescued 40 sailors, provided them with medical treatment and repatriated them this morning,' the Minister told Daily Mirror, referring to Saturday's operation. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sailors were aboard merchant vessels located approximately 24 nautical miles off Galle when distress calls were received over their medical conditions."
Sri Lanka repatriates 40 Iranian sailors after humanitarian rescue off Galle
Read more 👉 dailymirror.lk/breaking_news…
The Pacific priority: "The United States is a Pacific nation. More than 1.9 million American citizens and nationals live in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and approximately 53 million Americans live along the western seaboard, from California to Alaska. Our commitment to the security of the Pacific Islands is steadfast and enduring, and it is a key pillar of our America First Foreign Policy. When the Pacific Islands are secure, the American homeland is safer."
When the Pacific Islands are secure, the American homeland is safer. state.gov/releases/office-of…
If Bangladesh has a submarine cable cut or accident @NewAgeBDcom:
"Hakim: The backup is effectively zero. If the existing submarine cable infrastructure suffers a major disruption, Bangladesh could become almost completely dependent on India." newagebd.net/post/telecom/31…
Iranian tankers continue to be a problem for Sri Lanka.
23 OCT 2026
@CopernicusCMS #Sentinel2 🛰️📷
8 🇮🇷-flagged tankers spotted in imagery today loitering near Sri Lanka
20 🇮🇷 tankers have been loitering in international waters near Sri Lanka after passing their cargo of 🇮🇷🛢️by Ship-to-Ship (StS) transfer over in the Malaysian EOPL anchorage.
They have been sitting here for months. Today some maneuvered back down to vicinity of Galle, maybe for logistics support from ashore?
The tankers have been here between 60 - 100 days.
--
More details at @UANI Iran Shipping Update
unitedagainstnucleariran.com…
--
@JemimaShelley @TankerTrackers @AsiriFernandoLK @JonathanEmont @nilanthis @brentdsadler @captsingh @tom_bike @mercoglianos
Pleased to discuss the Smaller South Asian countries--the subject of my forthcoming book (Bloomsbury Academic)--and their relations with the US for the DC Asia Policy Network at @ORFAmerica.
Yesterday, in partnership with the DC Asia Policy Network, we hosted @RHFontaine, @nilanthis, and Gregory Poling of @SoutheastAsiaDC for a discussion on the changing nature of U.S.–#IndoPacific partnerships.
Thanks to everyone who joined us!
"According to the release, the home port shift is part of the Navy’s 'strategic dispersal of ships,' ...Naval Base Kitsap is the Navy’s third-largest Fleet Concentration Area and its most complex multi-mission installation, according to its website. The Lincoln will join its fellow Nimitz-class carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, in Kitsap."
The USS Abraham Lincoln is shifting its home port from San Diego to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, according to a recent service announcement. navytimes.com/news/your-navy…
Great discussion of Bhutan by @sarinatheys using the lens of constructivism: e-ir.org/p/introducing-const…
US defense cooperation with Mauritius, as well as Seychelles, through the New Mexico National Guard under the State Partnership Program.
(1/4)
The @NMNationalGuard recently touched down in Mauritius and Seychelles for an intensive, multi-day security cooperation exchange under the #SPP
The joint delegation focused on building trust, enhancing disaster response, and fostering regional stability. 🧵
Sec Rubio quote highlights connections btw regional strategy (WestHem, Indian Ocean) and national strategy: "[Reliance has] invested in increasing the refining capacity within the United States. So being so close, it made sense to go see their operations, spend some time talking to them about the way we can work together more closely, especially when it comes to energy from the Western Hemisphere that can be refined here. I think that’s helpful to India, but it’s also helpful to us." state.gov/releases/office-of…
Nilanthi Samaranayake retweeted
The original report in @TimesOnlineLK on how China Merchants Port Holding Company pulled out of its massive logistics hub project in the Colombo Port and that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has agreed to pay US$21.9 million to settle investments in the venture, following a decision by the parties to abandon it. #SriLanka
sundaytimes.lk/261018/news/c…
Question for small states: After China loses interest, do other large powers lose interest? "The SLPA is expected to seek fresh investment proposals for the land following the cancellation. The withdrawal marks the collapse of a major planned foreign investment in Sri Lanka’s port logistics sector, which was intended to strengthen Colombo’s position as a regional shipping and logistics hub."
China Merchants Port Holdings has withdrawn from a proposed US$392 million logistics hub project at the Port of Colombo, with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) agreeing to a US$21.9 million settlement following the cancellation.
The Chinese port operator confirmed the termination of the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub (SACLH) project in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on October 15, 2026.
The project, originally planned as one of South Asia’s largest logistics complexes, was to be developed under a 50-year build-operate-transfer arrangement.
According to the stock exchange filing, the decision to abandon the project followed changes in external circumstances, adjustments to the project’s implementation environment and timetable, and commercial considerations among the parties.
China Merchants Port held a 70% stake in the project through its subsidiary, Fortune Centre Group Limited, while the SLPA and Sri Lanka’s Access Engineering PLC each held 15%.
The three shareholders had invested a combined US$37.14 million in the project, including US$26 million contributed by the Chinese company’s subsidiary.
Under the settlement agreement, the SLPA will pay US$21.905 million to the project company within 30 days. The payment, together with approximately US$7.85 million in remaining distributable cash, will be allocated among the shareholders according to their ownership stakes, after applicable deductions and expenses.
The proposed five-story logistics complex was granted Strategic Development Project status by Sri Lanka in December 2023, providing several tax concessions, including exemptions from corporate income tax and dividend taxes for 15 years.
However, the project encountered delays and implementation difficulties, preventing it from progressing as originally planned.
According to maritime industry publication Lloyd’s List, the project also faced land and regulatory hurdles.
The SLPA is expected to seek fresh investment proposals for the land following the cancellation.
The withdrawal marks the collapse of a major planned foreign investment in Sri Lanka’s port logistics sector, which was intended to strengthen Colombo’s position as a regional shipping and logistics hub. (Newswire)
The Indian Navy has completed its command of Combined Maritime Forces' CTF-154 task force. The Sri Lanka Navy commanded CTF-154 last year. The Bangladesh Navy may wish to consider joining CMF & commanding this task force next year as it concludes coalition operations in UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force.
The @Indiannavy has handed over command of CTF 154 after an eight month tenure that delivered 7800+ training hours to 1,100+ people from 39 nations.
Read more: bit.ly/4yOIqTQ
#ReadyTogether
Secretary Rubio on sanctions waivers (2 India mentions): "And then you’ve got countries like India, for example, that have voluntarily diversified their energy portfolio but are still getting a substantial amount of energy from Russia because it’s hard to pivot from one day to the next, but they’re also an important ally and partner of the United States." state.gov/releases/office-of…