The School of Security and Strategic Studies (SSSS), Maldives National University (MNU), was represented by Dr Athaulla A Rasheed (Dean, SSSS) at the conference titled China and South Asia: Growing Footprint and Comparative Perspectives in the Region, organised by the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), and held in New Delhi on 31 October 2025. Participation in this forum strengthens collaboration between regional academic and policy institutions, enhances global cooperation on emerging security issues, and supports multi‑stakeholder partnerships across South Asia. Through such engagements, SSSS contributes to informed dialogue, comparative research, and the development of shared perspectives on regional security dynamics, reinforcing its role in advancing knowledge and institutional capacity.