Sri Lankan Geopolitical Analyst Calls for Stronger Cambodia–South Asia Cooperation at Royal Academy of Cambodia
Abeyagoonasekera highlighted opportunities for Cambodia and South Asia to strengthen strategic autonomy, diversify partnerships, and deepen regional cooperation.
NEWS
SAFN
7/3/2026
(Pic: Dr. Kin Phea, Director General of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC) and Prof. Abeyagoonasekera)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia | 3 July 2026 Sri Lankan geopolitical analyst and author Prof. Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director of the South Asia Foresight Network(SAFN) at The Millennium Project in Washington, D.C. delivered a keynote address at the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC), Royal Academy of Cambodia, on 3 July 2026, drawing on insights from his latest book, Winds of Change.
Speaking on "Navigating Strategic Competition in the Indo-Pacific: Opportunities for Cambodia and South Asia in an Era of Geopolitical Transformation," Prof. Abeyagoonasekera examined how intensifying great-power competition, technological change, and economic fragmentation are reshaping the Indo-Pacific. He highlighted opportunities for Cambodia and South Asia to strengthen strategic autonomy, diversify partnerships, and deepen regional cooperation.
Marking his third presentation at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, where he was honoured as a Senior Fellow of IRIC, Prof. Abeyagoonasekera reflected on writing the opening chapter of Winds of Change after visiting Angkor Wat, using Cambodia's rich civilizational heritage as a symbol of resilience amid geopolitical transformation.
Drawing on research presented in Winds of Change, he discussed political developments across South Asia and the growing influence of major powers, while emphasizing Cambodia's strategic role as a bridge between ASEAN and South Asia. He outlined four strategic priorities for countries navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical environment: strategic autonomy through diversified partnerships and reduced dependence on any single power; connectivity by investing in infrastructure, logistics, digital networks, and maritime linkages; human capital through education, research, innovation, and technological readiness; and regional cooperation by strengthening dialogue among governments, think tanks, universities, and the private sector across ASEAN and South Asia to build trust, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Following the keynote, Dr. Kin Phea, Director General of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC) at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, commended the research findings and geopolitical analysis presented in Winds of Change, describing them as a timely and significant contribution to contemporary discussions on Indo-Pacific geopolitics and regional cooperation.
