Darshana M. Baruah is a fellow with the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace where she directs the Indian Ocean Initiative. Baruah’s primary research focuses on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and the role of islands in shaping great power competition. Her work examines the impact of maritime security in foreign policy engagements, naval strategy, maritime partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and island agency in shaping great power competition. Under the Initiative, Baruah convenes the annual Indo-Pacific Islands dialogue bringing together the islands of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific to highlight and discuss issues of importance to island nations. In her current role, Baruah conceptualized the Indian Ocean interactive map designed to convey the strategic importance of the region’s geographic features, trading routes, and maritime security. 

Baruah currently also holds an expert affiliate with the National Security College, Australian National University.