Aachal completed her graduation in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University. Currently she is pursuing her master's in Political Science from IGNOU. Her areas of interest revolve around international relations, foreign policy dynamics, defence and security. She has previously interned with the Council for Social Development and the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.
Aakanksha Garg, a Political Science & International Affairs graduate from Delhi University, holds a minor degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Her academic background reflects interdisciplinary approach in exploring the intersection of Politics and Technology. Additionally, she is an incoming PhD Candidate at Université de Sherbrooke.
Aakanshi Bansal is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. Aakanshi has completed her bachelor's in Political Science from Amity University. Her avid interest in Geo Politics and Security has led to her interning in other think tanks like CLAWS and CENJOWS as well. She is currently pursuing her Master's in International Development Practice from TISS and Monash University.
Aanchal Budhwar is currently pursuing her Masters degree in International Studies from Symbiosis School of International Studies in Pune with a specialisation in Asia Area Studies. She completed her Bachelors degree in English Honours from MCM DAV College, Chandigarh. She is an avid reader and is passionate about learning new languages. She is keen on learning about Asian culture and geopolitics and deciphering the strategic meaning behind the political, diplomatic, cultural, economic and social developments taking place in China and its impact beyond the borders.
Aanchal Pannu is a student of International Relations. She is also a writer for The International Scholar. Her research interests lie in Security and Defense.
Abhishek Sharma is a Doctoral Student in Korean Studies under the Department of East Asian Studies at University of Delhi. He is a postgraduate in International Relations from South Asian University. He is interested in evolving Geopolitics of East Asia and the Indo-Pacific Region, focusing on India-South Korea relations and Indian Foreign Policy. His research interests also include the intersection of Gender and International Politics, particularly in Environmental Peacebuilding, Nuclear Disarmament, and Feminist Foreign Policy.
Abhishek Verma is a PhD scholar at Diplomacy and Disarmament (DAD) division, Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament (CIPOD), School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. He holds a research experience at international relations magazine ‘The Kootneeti’ and ‘Foreign Policy Research Centre’ (FPRC) a New Delhi based think tank, The Takshashila Institute and Chennai Centre for China Studies. He had several publications across these platforms including a monograph titled ‘China’s Growing Stature and Inherent Conflict: Tracing Chinese Strategic Thoughts and its Contemporary Behaviour’. He completed his graduation from Hansraj College, Delhi University and MA in Politics (Specialisation in International Studies) from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He can be reached out at @soni_abhi2018
Ada Dyndo is a President of WICCI’s India-EU Business Council, a platform for businesswomen, female entrepreneurs and change-makers. She works at the European Business and Technology Centre in New Delhi; before ETBC, Ada was heading the Polish Investment and Trade Agency in India. In 2021, Ada was chosen by EICBI as one of the top under 40 leaders who shape the future of EU-India relations. Ada regularly speaks about Europe-India business opportunities at many international events including: Vibrant Gujarat, Bengaluru Tech Summit, Europe India Leaders Conference at the European Parliament. She is an Indologist living in Asia for seven years. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Adhishri Seth is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Global Studies at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi, with a strong ambition to advance her academic career through a master's program in international relations. Her interests encompass a wide array of global topics, including world politics, political economic institutions, foreign policy, and global diplomacy, reflected in her dedication to extensive reading and research. Additionally, Adhishri is currently learning Mandarin, a crucial step towards understanding East Asian affairs, bridging both linguistic and cultural divides, and helping her to follow her dream of engaging more deeply with this intricate world.
Adhithi Senthilkumar is an undergraduate student pursuing a major in International Studies and a minor in Public Policy at FLAME University, Pune. She is fascinated by the complex dynamics of international relations and the substantial impact that policies can have on communities around the globe. Her passion for studying history, societies and contemporary global and domestic politics has been a driving force in her academic journey. She has participated in internships, attended conferences and engaged in volunteer work related to public policy gaining valuable insights into real-world application of policies. She aspires to apply her knowledge and skills to contribute to addressing pressing global issues and collaborate with like-minded individuals to make a positive difference through policymaking.
Adhya Menon is a third-year undergraduate student at FLAME University. She majors in International Studies and is doing a minor in Digital Marketing and Communications. Apart from academics, she is also passionate about music and dance, and I love to read, mostly about Indian history and its ancient events.She did her FLAME Summer Internship Program (SIP) at ORCA.
Aditi Dash is an undergraduate student of Literary and Cultural Studies at FLAME University. Her interests span the academic study of literature and art history, as well as anthropological concepts of culture and social behaviour.
Aditi Khamkar is a third-year undergraduate student at FLAME University majoring in International Studies and minoring in Public Policy. Having completed an internship at International SOS, her interest in security has deepened, driving her to pursue a career as a security analyst. Passionate about making meaningful contributions, she aspires to write impactful analyses that address global security challenges.
Aditya Kant Ghising is engaged as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at City College, University of Calcutta, Kolkata. He has lectured in the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata and at the Faculty of Social Science, Arts and Humanities at Lincoln University College, Malaysia. He has earned his Ph.D. degree from the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata and his research and teaching interests include geo-politics, borderland studies, strategic affairs, development and globalization.
Agniva Ray is an M.A, 2nd year, 4th semester student pursuing Political Science with International Relations in the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University. He holds a deep interest in Socio-economic (Non-Traditional Security) as well as Traditional security issues concerning South Asia and aims to pursue research work in this very field.
Mr. Agust Börjesson is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy’s Asia Program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chinese language and a master’s degree in Asian Studies from Lund University in Sweden. He has also studied Chinese language at Beijing Foreign Studies University as well as International Relations at Tsinghua University in China. Mr. Börjesson has previously worked with communications at Taipei Mission in Sweden. He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Ahana Roy was previously a Research Associate and Chief Operations Officer at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She is a postgraduate in Political Science with International Relations from Jadavpur University. Her areas of interest include non-traditional security studies with a focus on gender and sexuality studies, society, and culture in China specifically and East Asia broadly. She can be reached on Twitter @ahanaworks and her email ahana.1604@gmail.com
Dr Ajay Kumar Mishra, Assistant Professor teaches International Political Economy at Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Bihar, India. The author has earned a PhD from the Centre for South Asian Studies, JNU, New Delhi, India. He writes extensively on Democracy, Political Economy, and Governance.
Akshat Singh is a research associate with the Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). In this role, he works on promoting U.S.-India commercial and economic engagement. In addition to handling publications and external relations for the program, Akshat provides support on projects relating to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), clean energy, and defense. Akshat previously interned with the Chair. Prior to joining CSIS, Akshat served as the policy & communications associate at the Governance Lab (GOV/LAB) of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he supported the lab's work on promoting innovative governance policies in the Global South. Akshat has also served as an expansion consultant for a New York-based fintech startup, where he worked on improving financial literacy and access to financial institutions for women and other underrepresented groups in South Asia. He also served as a media consultant for a New Delhi-based think tank. Additionally, Akshat has worked on health policy at the Cato Institute and on U.S.-India commercial relations at McLarty Associates. Akshat graduated with a dual BA degree from Columbia University in New York, where he specialized in economics, and Sciences Po in Paris, where he specialized in politics and government. Akshat has native proficiency in Hindi and working proficiency in French. Listen to Akshat Singh's episode of The ORCA Files here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Akshata is an undergraduate student majoring in International Studies at FLAME University. Her primary interests lie in research and cultural perspectives in politics.
Akshita Pant is a post-graduate research scholar with a degree in Masters in International Relations from Amity University. Her expertise lies in the field of geopolitics, particularly focusing on China and East Asia. With a keen interest in India's foreign policy, national security, and culture, with a deep passion for understanding the complexities of international relations.
Alan Paul Varghese is a student of M.A. Political Science from the School of Open Learning at the University of Delhi. (DU) He was a recipient of Smithu Kothari Fellowship For Young Researchers by the Centre For Financial Accountability (CFA) for his research article on Public Sector and the Pandemic. His writings focus on political economy, theories, and international relations. He has authored several articles on international relations, economic and social issues in prominent online news platforms and web portals in Kerala. He can be contacted through email id; surabhi.alanvp@gmail.com and alanpaulvarghese007@gmail.com
Albin Thomas is a research scholar at the Centre for East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), India. He is doing research on “Economic Diplomacy of China under Xi Jinping”. He has published an article for Australian Institute of International Affairs. He is having keen interest in Chinese foreign policy, foreign policy of Xi Jinping, economic diplomacy, cross-strait relations. He can be contacted at albinjth@gmail.com, albin61_isb@jnu.ac.in and reached @albinthomas_ on Twitter.
Alisha is a 2nd year student pursuing Development Studies with a minor in International Relations at IIT, Madras. Her interdisciplinary course offers her a unique perspective on Public Policy and Global Polity issues. She is passionate about China Studies, Economics and Climate and loves to explore the interconnections between the them.
Aliza Mehdi is a final year student of Political Science at Indraprastha College for Women. Her academic areas of interest include Comparative Politics, Conflict Studies, Developmental Economics and Film and Television Studies, and is currently working as an Associate (Training and Development) at Pratarka - an education startup specialising in soft-skill development and pedagogical research for students. She is interested in politics, policy, design and writing, and is an active member of the DU varsity debating circuit.
Alok has recently finished his M. A. In Politics with International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He is currently a China Studies fellow at Takshashila Institution.
Aman Bora is currently a research scholar in the Department of Political Science of Soban Singh Jeena University Almora, Uttarakhand (India). He received his master’s degree in Political Science (Silver Medalist) form Kumaun University Nainital in Uttarakhand (India). He is an ardent researcher and an inquisitive learner avidly interested in International Relations, Defense Studies, Geo-politics and topic related to National Interests.
Ambika Vishwanath is the Co-Founder and Director of the Kubernein Initiative, an India-based female founded geopolitical advisory set up in early 2019. She is a geopolitical analyst and water security specialist in the field of governance and foreign policy. She has led track two diplomacy efforts, consulted with several governments and international organizations and helped shape their policies on conflict resolution, water diplomacy and security. Ambika has been interviewed and published in over 50 international media, online publication and journals, including The Third Pole, China Water Risk, The National, Project Syndicate, Indian Express, The Hindu, 9DashLine, Al Jazeera, Europäische Sicherheit, South Asian Voices, Atlantic Community and Stockholm International Affairs Quarterly amongst others. She is also a contributing author to the ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on Transboundary Water Security in South Asia.
Amit Kumar is a doctoral candidate at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, in Pilani, India. He worked as an Adjunct Researcher at the MirYam Institute in New York. Currently, he is an Associate Editor at The Defence Horizon Journal based in Austria.
Amit Ranjan Alok is a scholar with remarkable research interests in Geopolitics, Geo-economics, and traditional and non-traditional security of the People's Republic of China (PRC). He has completed his Masters from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in Politics with a specialisation in International Studies (PISM) and graduated from IIT Dhanbad. Amit is a Doctoral Scholar at JNU, New Delhi, in the Centre of East Asian Studies, with a particular focus on Chinese studies. He has a wealth of experience in international conferences related to China's political landscape and has contributed to various journals such as The Geopolitics, South Asia Journal, and The Diplomat, Financial express amongst others.
Anakha S Thampy is currently pursuing her dual Masters degree - an MA in International Studies from Symbiosis International University, Pune, and an MA in Sustainability Science from IGNOU. Having completed her Bachelor's in Political Science, she aspires to make a significant impact in society by becoming a Civil Servant. Her research focus revolves around the captivating realms of Asian area studies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Anandita Bhada is a Research Analyst at the Europe and Eurasia Centre of Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. She is an alumnus of the Political Science department of Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi (DU) and holds a Master’s Degree in Political Studies from the Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She has qualified in the UGC-NET and is presently pursuing her PhD in International Relations from the Centre for European Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Ms Bhada has reported in the Education Beat of the Times of India. She was with ‘Chahal’, a non-governmental organization that takes the initiative to teach underprivileged children. Her area of interest includes geopolitics, foreign relations, security dynamics, energy studies and policy matters. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Ananya Jogalekar is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. She is a graduate in Economics skilled in data analytics and public policy. She is currently learning Mandarin Chinese at the Intermediate (HSK 04) level and has basic proficiency in Korean. Her areas of interest include international relations with a focus on East Asia, data-driven policy making and computational social science. An avid reader, creative writer and singer, Ananya is passionate about exploring various cultures through language-learning and traveling.
Ananya Singh is a student of International Studies and Public Policy at FLAME University. She is actively involved in research pursuits such as taking on corporate risk analysis internships, publishing articles on the conflict and politics in Asia; undertaking research on economic policy; engaging in various national-level youth G20/policy-making/leadership conferences and debates; and creating webinars/media on sociopolitical issues. Her research interests in the field currently include political risk analysis, defence studies, maritime security and international law with a regional focus on West Asia. She has also supplemented her portfolio with proficiency in French and an understanding of German and Persian.
Ananya Tandon is a third-year undergraduate student at FLAME University, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Journalism. With a keen interest in political journalism, she gained valuable hands-on experience through her internship at NDTV, where she had the opportunity to explore the field. She is passionate about staying up-to-date on issues that shape the global community.
Anita Shukla, founder and CEO of India-EU Training & Consulting is a senior strategy consultant, executive coach, advisor, speaker and moderator based in Hamburg, Germany. As specialist on global collaboration and business development, international tech recruitment and cross-cultural management in technology with India - EU focus and more than 25 years of experience she together with her network has been consulting various European corporations operating globally, from MNCs to technology startups, especially those with India in focus and likewise supported major Indian/Asian technology corporations in their successful operations in Europe preparing teams and (male and female) leaders for global business in tech. She earned a humanity degree after studying at the Universities of Münster and Hamburg, Germany (Magistra Artium; M.A. in 2005) and has since then studied numerous fields of technology like AI, management and entrepreneurship. Anita is currently a strategic partner of Expandeers Global Network, Global Business Development made in Germany, Global Ambassador of WomenTech Network and Honorary Life Member All Ladies League. Her memberships include Women in AI, Women in AI and Robotics and Hanseatic India Forum, among others. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Ankit is a Ph.D scholar at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Govt. Degree College, University of Allahabad
Ankita Tyagi is Head, IP and Public Projects at the European Business and Technology Centre. At EBTC, Ankita is responsible for promoting innovation, bilateral cooperation and market access in the India-Europe business corridor by identifying and liaising with relevant stakeholders through collaborations. She has 13+ years of experience in IP, startup and innovation ecosystems as an expert. She promotes public awareness, education and policy on issues related to using IP in the promotion of science and innovation. She also leads public projects with government engagement. She contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Anubhav S Goswami is a Research Associate at Centre for Air Power Studies in New Delhi. Additionally, Anubhav is a Doctoral Scholar at Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P Jindal Global University. His doctoral research is based on the comparative analysis of American Grand strategy in the context of changing world system from Unipolarity to Multipolarity. His research interests include U.S Grand Strategy, Sino-American strategic competition, Taiwan’s sovereignty, Indo-US Strategic relationship, Indian Foreign Policy, Indian grand strategic thought and Japanese Foreign Policy.
Anudeep Gujjeti is a PhD candidate from the Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad. He is currently working on India and Japan relations in the Post-Cold War period. His research interests include Indian Foreign Policy, Japanese Foreign Policy, Indo-Japan relations, Soft Power, and Non-traditional security. He can be reached on Twitter @anudeepgujjeti.
Anushka Saxena is working as a Research Intern with the Institute of Chinese Studies. She has completed her first Masters degree in International Relations from the O.P Jindal Global University, and is an incoming student for the Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. She pursued her Bachelors in History from the Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. Her research interests include China-Taiwan Cross-Strait Relations, Chinese domestic and foreign policies, Asia-Pacific and maritime geopolitics. She has previously worked with various Indian, Nepalese and Australian think tanks in a research capacity, and has also spearheaded diverse youth-led research and editorial projects. Her e-mail ID is anushkasaxenalsr@gmail.com. She also contributed to our podcast, The ORCA Files. Listen to the episode here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Anuttama Banerji is a political analyst based in New Delhi, India. She is presently a Visiting Fellow with NIICE, Nepal and has held the South Asia Visiting Fellowship with the Stimson Center in the United States in 2023. On the academic front, she has a Master's degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK. Her core research areas include India-US defense cooperation along with water and maritime security in South Asia. Her recent journal publications have appeared in Strategic Analysis and the Journal of the United Services Institution of India. Her work has also been published widely in leading national and international media outlets like the Deccan Herald, Greater Kashmir, Lowy Interpreter, South Asian Voices, South China Morning Post, The Diplomat and the 09DashLine among others. She is a polyglot and is fluent in French and Urdu in addition to her native Hindi and Bengali. She is also a contributing author for ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on "Transboundary Water Security in South Asia".
Anvita is a post graduation student of International Relations at Jamia Millia Islamia with a keen interest in geopolitical and security studies. Her academic pursuits are complemented by her extensive research on the South China Sea. Beyond her academic and leadership roles, she actively engages in initiatives promoting sustainability, menstrual equity, and gender rights.
Artyom Garin is a Research Assistant of the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is interested in multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific, as well as in Australia-China relations. His research interests also include defence and aid policies of Australia, as well as politics and history of the Pacific Island countries.
Athul T Dharan is a Member of CTBTO Youth Group and is currently pursuing his Master's in Political Science from the University of Hyderabad, India. He was a research intern at the Centre for Air Power Studies, Delhi. His research interests include Chinese Studies, China’s Defense policy, Arms Control, Disarmament and Intelligence. During his undergraduate studies, he actively participated in the Model United Nations and served as the General Secretary of the Global Youth Ramjas Chapter. He is an active National Service Scheme volunteer and was part of the Enactus Team, working on rural development and slum rejuvenation projects. He can be reached at athul.t.dharan27@gmail.com
Avi Sharma is currently pursuing her masters degree in International Studies at Symbiosis International University, Pune with a specialisation in Asia as her area studies. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Political Science honours from St.Xaviers College, Jaipur, Rajasthan. She has a keen interest in the field of geopolitics and Asia with understanding the diplomatic, economic, political, social and cultural developments that take place with a strategic knowledge to the same. She constantly aspires to work in the realm of Research and International Relations in her future ahead.
Avinav Singh Khatri is a Research Associate at Nepal Institute for International Co-operation and Engagement (NIICE) and holds a Master's degree in International Studies from Symbiosis School of International Studies, Pune. His research interests span a wide range of compelling areas, including political and peace-building affairs, governance, foreign policy, South Asia, geopolitics, and international affairs. He also focuses on Refugee Studies, Migration, and humanitarian and development issues. He is also a contributing author for ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on "Transboundary Water Security in South Asia".
Bablu Kumar Singh is a research scholar at the Centre for Chinese and South East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), India. His current research focuses on “Perceptions and Images of India in Chinese Discourse: A Study of Select Contemporary Chinese Writings”. His research interests include perceptions and images of China’s Indologists on Contemporary India, India-China civilizational interactions and India-China relations under Xi Jinping.
Baogang He (Ph.D, ANU 1994) is Alfred Deakin Professor at Deakin University, and the Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Professor He is widely known for his work in Chinese politics, in particular the deliberative politics in China as well as in regionalism, international relations, federalism, and multiculturalism in Asia. His publications are found in top journals including Science, British Journal of Political Science, Journal of Peace Research, Political Theory, Political Studies, and Perspectives on Politics. His two papers (“Authoritarian Deliberation: The Deliberative Turn in Chinese Political Development,” co-authored with Mark Warren, and “The Domestic Politics of the Belt and Road Initiative and its Implications”) are on the top 1% of the highly cited research papers in the Web of Sciences as of 11 Feb 2021. His published books include The Democratisation of China, The Democratic Implications of Civil Society in China, Rural Democracy in China, and Governing Taiwan and Tibet. His recent co-edited books include Deliberative Democracy in Asia, (with Michael Breen and James Fishkin), Routledge in 2021, and China and North Korea’s Human Rights (with David Hundt, Chengxin Pan), Routledge, 2021. His forthcoming books include The Galaxy Empire of China (with John Keane to be published by Oxford University Press in 2023) and Comparative Federalism in Asia (with Michael Breen and Laura Reumann to be published by Routledge, 2023). He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Baran Ayguven is a War Studies student at King’s College London. His research focuses on global security issues with a particular interest in the developments of military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. You can contact him via email at baran.ayguven99@gmail.com
Bhavdeep Modi is former Senior Research Associate at ORCA and he is also a Visiting Researcher at Red Lantern Analytica (RLA), a New-Delhi based think-tank and has previously worked with Mr. Ninong Ering (former MP & currently MLA, Arunachal Pradesh). Mr Modi is also a former Teach for India Fellow and has worked as a political consultant in the past. He has interned at CLAWS, Chase India, and office of Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur (Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Minister for Information & Broadcasting). A lawyer by degree, he has also done an MA in Diplomacy, Law & Business with a specialization in Defense & National Security studies.
Bhupendra Kumar completed his M. Phil and PhD from the Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament (CIPOD), School of International Studies Jawaharlal Nehru Interests. His research interests are foreign policy behaviour, diplomatic relations of Pakistan with India and the United States, personality and diplomacy, China, Global Governance, and climate change politics.
Bindiya Kamboj has completed her Masters in Politics with specialisation in International Relations from the School of International Studies (SIS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Mass Communication and Journalism. Her Research Interests include China- India Relations, theories of International Relations and Security Studies.
Brijeshwar Dahiya did his Masters in International Relations and Area Studies with a focus on China from School of International Relations (SIS), JNU. He has written on Chinese Communist Party’s politics and on People’s Liberation Army’s role in Chinese foreign policy. He can be reached @BrijeshwarDahi2 on Twitter. did his Masters in International Relations and Area Studies with a focus on China from School of International Relations (SIS), JNU. He has written on Chinese Communist Party’s politics and on People’s Liberation Army’s role in Chinese foreign policy. He can be reached @BrijeshwarDahi2 on Twitter.
Chandam Thareima is PhD scholar at the Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. My area of interests is in the domain of China's foreign policy, and specifically its diplomacy at the UN in studying the nature of China's power.
Claude Arpi is an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) born in 1949 in Angoulême, France. He settled in India 49 years ago. He is a Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Claude Arpi earlier held the Field Marshal KM Cariappa Chair of Excellence from the United Service Institution of India (USI) for his research on the Indian Presence in Tibet 1947-1962 (in 4 volumes – Vij Publisher). He is the author of many books on Tibet, China, India and the Indo-French relations. He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Commodore Anil Jai Singh is a veteran maritime strategist and submarine technology expert with 30 years of experience as a submariner in the Indian Navy and 11 years of senior leadership with a leading global undersea technology giant. He is the Vice President of the Indian Maritime Foundation and heads its Delhi branch. He was commissioned in the Navy in Jan 1981 and took premature retirement in March 2011. In his career spanning three decades, he had the distinction of commanding four submarines and a Fleet ship. He also served in the Directorates of Naval Plans and Submarine Acquisition at Naval Headquarters and was involved in drafting the Navy’s 30 year submarine construction plan and the 15 year ship building plan which are now coming to fruition. He has been a Directing Staff at the College of Naval Warfare, Senior Instructor(Navy) at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Defence and Naval Adviser at the Indian High Commission in London. His last appointment was as Deputy Assistant Chief (Maritime) in the Perspective Planning and Force Development branch of the Integrated Defence Staff in the MoD. He speaks and writes on maritime matters and defence procurement planning issues at various fora in India and abroad. He has been a member of various Track1.5 initiatives related to regional security forums.
Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar is director of the Society for Policy Studies (SPS), an independent think tank based in New Delhi. He was formerly head of two other major Indian institutions: the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and the National Maritime Foundation (NMF). He also contributed to our podcast, The ORCA Files. Listen to the episode here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
D. Purushothaman is Professor, Centre for South Asian Studies at Pondicherry University. He previously served as the Center Head of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation and the Center for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry University. He has completed two commissioned projects from ICSSR and UGC. His areas of specialization include South Asian culture and water security, India's foreign policy, India-Nepal ties, sustainable development and climate change in South Asia. Dr. Purushothaman completed his Ph.D. in political science at Pondicherry University and his M.Phil. in defense and strategic studies at the University of Madras. He accepted a UGC contract position as a lecturer at the University of Madras' Centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies in 2005 and in 2008, he was chosen to serve as a permanent lecturer in the Political Science Department of the Tamil Nadu Government College Service. He is also a contributing author for ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on "Transboundary Water Security in South Asia".
Dr. Evans is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D). He has lived and worked in the Pacific islands region for over a decade, predominantly in the justice and security fields. Dan’s writing on human rights, urbanisation and justice has been published widely, with his previous roles spanning criminal law, legal sociology, judicial system reform and project design and implementation. He has worked on a number of bilateral aid projects as well as with the World Bank and the United Nations.
Dara Cheick is a student at the Faculty of Administrative and Political Sciences of Bamako (Mali) and a research assistant at the Timbuktu Center for Strategic Studies for the Sahel. He can be reached on Twitter @DaraCheick
David Stahl (born in 1949) has studied Comparative Religion with particular focus on Indian religions at the University of Lund, and Indology at the University of Stockholm. He is a MA (Lund) with Comparative Religion as major and MA (Stockholm) with Indology as major. He worked as assistant at Dep. of Indology, University of Stockholm, 1977-1984, and has since worked as a India Analyst in his own company, Empatum, and is often engaged by the corporate sector, mass media companies and organizations. He has been President of the Swedish-Indian Society 2004-2010. He has also been involved in relief work among refugees in India and is the editor of "India Newsletter'' which is published five times a year. He has also been President of the Swedish Tibet Committe during the years 1974 - 1988. He has also been engaged as tour guide for cultural trips to India. He has done extensive travel in large parts of India, has lived in India during different periods and is now partially based in Cochin. He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Debendra Sanyal graduated with a BA (Hons.) degree in Political Science from Ashoka University in Sonepat, and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Political Science with International Relations at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. His main research interest is in the field of Sino-Indian relations, and he has professional experience in doing research on China.
Dechen Palmo is a research fellow at the Environment and Development Desk of the Tibet Policy Institute - the think-tank of the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala, India. Dechen joined TPI in 2016 and works on Tibet's transboundary rivers and their geostrategic importance. Dechen has written and published widely on water security issues, China damming crisis, and transboundary water management. She pursued her Master's in International Studies from Stella Maris College and her M.Phil. in International Relations from the University of Madras. Her Ph.D. thesis is titled “China’s National Interests on Transboundary Water Resources: A Comparative Study of the Brahmaputra and Mekong River”. She has participated in national and international conferences: the 23, 25 & 26th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP), the International Association of Tibetan Studies and the Young Tibetan Research Scholar Conference. She is also a contributing author for ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on "Transboundary Water Security in South Asia".
Having recently graduated with a degree in Computer Applications, Dhananjay Shinde is keenly interested in topics related to Politics, Foreign Policy and Security and has written several articles on these subjects. His curiosity lies in the workings of the International Relations domain and what goes into formulating policies. In his spare time, Dhananjay can be found revelling in literature and philosophy.
Dibyesh Anand is the Head of the School of Social Sciences and professor of international relations at the University of Westminster, London. He is the author of monographs "Geopolitical Exotica: Tibet in Western Imagination” and “Hindu Nationalism in India and the Politics of Fear” and has spoken about, and published extensively on, varied topics including postcolonial politics and international relations, Tibet, China-India border dispute, Hindu nationalism, and Islamophobia. He is on Twitter @dibyeshanand. He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Diksha is currently an undergraduate student at FLAME University, Pune. She is pursuing her degree in BA with a major in Literary and Cultural Studies and minor in Sociology. Writing is a part of her primary focus in building her career and one way to cater to that is by diversifying her academic reach in a field such as international relations. She is an avid reader and writes fiction in her leisure time.
Divyanshu Jindal is a Doctoral Student at OP Jindal Global University, India and a Research Intern at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyse, New Delhi, India. He is a postgraduate in International Relations with a specialization in economics and foreign policy. He has worked at Fidelity Investments as an Associate Systems Engineer after completing B. Tech in Computer Science from SRM University, India. His writings have appeared at The Lowy institute, BRICS Information Portal, The Quint, 9Dashline, Eurasian Review, Modern Diplomacy, The Geopolitics, among other online platforms. His areas of interests include India-Russia relations, India’s foreign policy, cyber diplomacy, and cyber politics.
Donald Leung is a modern world Historian and creator of newsography.com, a global headline news aggregator and database. He is an investor in natural resource exploration across Africa, and South America. He completed his Bachelors of Social Work at the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Dr Aleksandra Jaskólska is a CEO of Cross-Cultural Intelligence and lecturer at the University of Warsaw. Aleksandra has many years of experience as a trainer in cultural differences, intercultural management, intercultural communication, & expatriate management. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences and works at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw, where she teaches and conducts research on the impact of culture on national domestic and foreign policy, with particular emphasis on Asian countries. Aleksandra is the author of training programs and articles on cultural differences in business, she specialises in Polish and Indian business culture. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
B. R. Deepak is Professor and Chair at the Centre for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He was trained in Chinese history and India-China relations at the Peking University and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and University of Edinburgh, UK. He has been the Nehru and Asia Fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing. Dr. Deepak‘s publications include India’s China dilemma: The lost equilibrium and widening asymmetries (2021), India and China: Beyond the binary of friendship and enmity (2020), China’s Global Rebalancing and the New Silk Road (2018), My Tryst with China (2017), India and China 1904-2004: A Century of Peace and Conflict (2005), India-China Relations in the first half of Twentieth Century (2001), India-China Relations: Future Perspectives (co ed. 2012), India-China Relations: Civilizational Perspective (co ed. 2012) China: Agriculture, Countryside and Peasants (2010). Some of his translations from Chinese to Hindi and English include: China and India: Dialogues of Civilisations (2021) Parva (2020), Ji Xianlin: A Critical Biography (2019) The Four Books (2018); Core Values of Chinese Civilization (2018), The Analects of Confucius (2016), Mencius (2017), My Life with Kotnis (2010) Chinese Poetry: 1100 BC to 1400 AD (2011), a translation of 85 selected classical poems for which he was awarded the 2011 “Special Book Prize of China.” He writes “Eye on China” column for Sunday Guardian https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/user/b-r-deepak
Dr. Divya Balan is Assistant Professor in International Studies at FLAME University, Pune, India. She holds a doctorate degree in European Studies from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Divya served as an international visiting fellow of the Institute for European Global Studies at the University of Basel, Switzerland in 2018. Recipient of several scholarships and research grants, she has published monographs, research papers in edited books and journals, and thought pieces in international and Indian newspapers and magazines. Divya is an active public speaker and has also served as a migration policy consultant for government and civil society organisations. She can be reached at: divya.balan@flame.edu.in. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Dr. Jagannath Panda is a Senior Fellow at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS). Currently, Dr. Panda is based in Stockholm, and is the Head of Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA) at the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), Sweden. In addition to his primary appointment at ISDP, Dr. Panda is also the Director for Europe-Asia Research Cooperation at the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS); International Research Fellow at the Cannon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS) in Japan; a Senior Fellow at East Asian Security Centre at Bond University, Australia; and a Senior Research Fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies (JFSS), Tokyo. He was a fellow at India’s premier think-tank, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (now, Manohar Parrikar-IDSA) for one and half-decade [2006-2022]. Dr. Panda co-edited the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Professor Johan Lagerkvist teaches Chinese language and culture, and he is the Director of Stockholm Center for Global Asia at the department of Political Science, Stockholm University. His main research interests include Chinese state-society relations, modern Chinese history, political culture, China's media system and internet politics, global governance, China’s political economy and evolving role in ’South-South’ co-operation.
Dr. Krzysztof M. Zalewski serves as the President of the Board of the Boym Institute (Warsaw, Poland). He writes about European foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific as well as digital and energy transformations in the region. Krzysztof previously worked at the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights in Vienna (2014-2016), at the Foreign Relations Office of the Chancellery of the President of Poland (2010-2014), at the Polish Parliament (2009-2010) and at the Centre for Eastern Studies in Warsaw (2009).
Dr. Lance Gore is Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore. He has done research and publications on a wide variety of topics, including Chinese environmental politics, the reforms in China’s steel industry, energy sector, patterns of entrepreneurship in mainland China, the economic bureaucracies of China, cadre performance evaluation, local state economic behaviour, the Chinese Communist Party and industrial relations. Previously he taught at Bowdoin College and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University in the United States. He is the single author of three monographs: Chinese Communist Party and China’s Capitalist Revolution: the Political Impact of Market (Routledge); Market Communism: the Institutional Foundations of China’s Post-Mao Hyper-Growth (Oxford); and Chinese Politics Illustrated: the Cultural, Social and Historical Contexts (World Scientific). He also published widely in international journals such as The New Political Economy, Polity, The China Journal, East Asia: An International Quarterly, Problems of Post-Communism, Chinese Journal of Comparative Law. He edited and co-edited several books and contributed numerous book chapters, and is also the associate editor of China: An International Journal.
Dr. Li Nan is Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore. He has published extensively on Chinese security and military policy and on China’s maritime development. His most recent book, entitled Civil-Military Relations in Post-Deng China: From Symbiosis to Quasi-Institutionalization, was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2021. He was a professor at the US Naval War College and received a PhD in political science from the Johns Hopkins University.
Dr Madhukar Shyam is a ‘Research Assistant’ at Centre for Strategic Studies and Stimulation (CS3), United Service Intuition of India, (USI) New Delhi. He is also a co-editor of Sinometer: The China Strategic Monitor by USI. He tweets @Msjha16
Dr Manpreet Sethi, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi, heads its programme on nuclear issues. Recipient of K Subrahmanyam award (2014), Commendation by Chief of Air Staff (2020) and Commendation by Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command (2022). Since receiving her doctorate in 1997, she has worked on nuclear energy, strategy, arms control & disarmament. She is author/co-author/editor of nine books and over 120 papers. Sethi lectures at National Defence College and other establishments of Indian Armed Forces, Police, Foreign Services, and Universities. She is also regular participant at policy conferences, Track II initiatives and UNIDIR. In 2021, she was invited to present her views before the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters of UN Secretary General. She was Member, Prime Minister’s Informal Group on Disarmament in 2012. She is on Board of Directors of Asia Pacific Leadership Network (APLN), and Co-chair, Women in Nuclear–India. She is also Co-chair of the Working Group on Reducing Pathways to Nuclear Use at Belfer Center, Harvard University. She contributed to our podcast, The ORCA Files. Listen to the episode here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Dr. Rajorshi Roy (Ph.D) is Associate Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). His areas of research and analysis cover the foreign, defence, security and domestic policies of Russia and the Central Asian countries.
Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an Associate Professor at Centre for East Asian studies, School of International Studies, JNU. She holds a Ph.D. in Chinese studies from University of Delhi. She completed her M.A. in Political science, JNU. Her Doctoral work explored the micro-level agrarian transformation in Yunnan province and she is currently engaged in questions of provincial transformation especially in Yunnan. Her research interests are: rural political economy, urbanization, gender studies and provincial politics. Dr. Ritu Agarwal studied Mandarin Chinese from Beijing language and Culture University, Beijing. She was a visiting scholar to Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, Kunming, and visiting fellow to Yunnan Minzu University and Yunnan University recently. She was also affiliated to Chinese University of Hong Kong and East Asia Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore to collect material for her research work.
Dr. Sampa Kundu is currently working as a Consultant at ASEAN-India Centre (AIC) at Research and Information System for Develping Countries (RIS), New Delhi. Prior to this, she has taught at Amity University, Noida and Symbiosis International University, Pune. Dr. Kundu has worked with New Delhi based think-tank, MP-Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses as well. She has research interests in Southeast Asian geopolitics, Indo-Pacific and ASEAN-India relations. She can be reached at sampa.sun@gmail.com.
Dr. Shinji Yamaguchi is a Senior Research Fellow in the Regional Studies Department of the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS), Ministry of Defense, Japan, located in Tokyo, and was a Visiting Scholar at Sigur Center for Asian Studies of George Washington University. He specializes in Chinese politics, China’s security policy, and contemporary Chinese history. He earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from Keio University. His publications include "Strategies of China’s Maritime Actors in the South China Sea: A Coordinated Plan under the Leadership of Xi Jinping?" China Perspective, 2016 No.3, (October 2016), pp.23- 31; Mo Takuto no Kyokoku ka Senryaku (Mao’s Grand Strategy to Build Strong Country) Tokyo: Keio University Press, 2021. He is a co-author of the NIDS China Security Report 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Dr. Swasti Rao is Associate Fellow at the Europe and Eurasia Center, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. She has a Masters in Politics (spl’n. IR) and an M.Phil in East Asian Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She has completed her PhD in Advanced International Politics from Tsukuba University, Japan. She is a recipient of Japanese Education Ministry Fellowship (MEXT) in 2011 and also a recipient of the ‘Okita Memorial Scholarship’ in 2010 from ICCR. She holds an adjunct position at the Tokai University, Japan in the capacity of a foreign collaborator for the Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) funded research project on “Civil Society and Urban Governance in Asia,2020-2025”. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Dr Swati Prabhu is Associate Fellow with the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy, Observer Research Foundation (ORF). Her research explores the interlinkages between India’s development partnerships in South Asia and Africa and the Sustainable Development Agenda. Swati’s broader research interests encompass development partnerships, climate change, environment, and sustainability. She completed her MPhil & PhD from the Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India. Prior to ORF, Swati was Junior Fellow at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata under Ministry of Culture. She has also authored a children’s book titled “50 FAQs on Climate Change” published by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Eerishika Pankaj is the Director of New Delhi based think-tank, the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), which focuses on decoding domestic Chinese politics and its impact on Beijing’s foreign policymaking. She is also an Editorial and Research Assistant to the Series Editor for Routledge Series on Think Asia; a Young Leader in the 2020 cohort of the Pacific Forum’s Young Leaders Program; a Commissioning Editor with E-International Relations for their Political Economy section; a Member of the Indo-Pacific Circle and a Council Member of the WICCI’s India-EU Business Council. Primarily a China and East Asia scholar, her research focuses on Chinese elite/party politics, the India-China border, water and power politics in the Himalayas, Tibet, the Indo-Pacific and India’s bilateral ties with Europe and Asia. In 2023, she was selected as an Emerging Quad Think Tank Leader, an initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Leaders Lead on Demand program. She co-edited the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question" and edited the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China." She can be reached on eerishikap@gmail.com
Elias Sebin is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations from South Asian University, New Delhi. His areas of research interest include the geopolitics and social dynamics of the Latin American, West Asian, and African regions as well as gender dynamics and intersectional feminism in South Asia. An avid traveller on a shoestring budget, his short fiction and travelogues have previously been published in several online publications including LiveWire, The Reading Room Co., and Gulmohur Quarterly.
Gray Sergeant is an Associate Fellow in Chinese Geopolitics at the Council on Geostrategy, a London-based foreign affairs think tank. He is also currently completing an MPhil/PhD at the London School of Economics (LSE) on Anglo-American relations towards the People’s Republic of China during the early Cold War. He is the Chair of Hong Kong Watch and spent several years working for Free Tibet/Tibet Watch, conducting research on and advocating for Tibet. He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Harshit Sharma is a student pursuing Master’s in Diplomacy, Law, and Business at the O.P. Jindal Global University. He has completed his undergraduate degree in History from the University of Delhi. He is working as an intern at the Jindal Centre for Israel Studies and Centre for Afghanistan studies. He is also works as a member of the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Peace Studies. His research interests include Peace and Conflict Studies, and the philosophy of non-violence.
Harshita Khaund is a Masters student of International Affairs from O.P. Jindal Global University. Previously, she has undertaken her bachelors in Political Science from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. She has a keen interest in security studies, international economy, and conflict and peace studies.
Mr. Hemkumar Jain formerly worked for the Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as a Distinguished Fellow. Mr. Jain is a freelance China analyst.
Gokireddy Hima Bindu is a postgraduate research scholar pursuing Masters in Geopolitics and International Relations at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal. She takes special interest in China Studies with a focus on its History and Strategy, the PLA, and the like.
Jashanpreet Randhawa is post graduate student at Jawaharlal Nehru University. She completed her undergraduation in Social Sciences(hons) from Guru Nanak Dev University. Jashanpreet is good at analytical research writing and also a keen learner. Her major interests lies in the field of ethnic and civil wars, non state actors emergence and threat, east asian world affairs and global political economy.
Jay Desai is a Former Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), New Delhi. At CAPS he worked on the role of missiles in international security. He has completed his Master’s Degree in International Relations by specializing in Security Studies from Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar. He has published thirty seven articles in The Kootneeti, The Print (Campus Voice and Yourturn), Stimson Center, Journal of International Studies etc all of them are on diverse topical themes.
Jay Maniyar is a Researcher who has most notably associated with the National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi, India. His core work lies in the domains of International Relations, the Maritime Domain, and Strategic Studies. His geographical focus areas are the Indian subcontinent, Southeast and East Asia, and the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. His work with the NMF has involved a three-year research association that has resulted in a number of published articles for the NMF. Jay is presently undertaking two Book Projects for the NMF on Japan and South Korea’s geopolitical, geo-economic, and geostrategic interests for India’s most prominent maritime think-tank. He has also gained considerable acclaim through his published work (close to 70 articles) for several other prominent organisations, as also for innumerable reputed journals and magazines. He is also an independent and freelance researcher. Jay is reachable on jaymaniyar@gmail.com. He also contributed to our podcast, The ORCA Files. Listen to the episode here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Juliane Frömmter is an accomplished Startup Ecosystem Leader and Enabler with 11+ years of experience in the German, European, and global startup ecosystem building support programs around international expansion, client acquisition, venture building, and ecosystem building through program design, planning, and execution. She is your go-to expert for startups interested in crossing markets in the EU-India corridor. In November 2021, she was also recognized as 40 Under 40 Europe-India Leader by EICI - Europe India Center for Business and Industry in the presence of Members of Parliaments in the European, British, and Indian governments. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Julie Yu-Wen Chen is Professor of Chinese Studies at the Department of Cultures at the University of Helsinki, formerly chair of the Nordic Association of China Studies, and formerly editor-in-chief of Asian Ethnicity. She was also co-editor of Borderland Politics in Northern India (2014) and Tibetan Studies in Comparative Perspective (2012). From 2023-2025, she is in the EU-funded project “The EU in the Volatile Indo-Pacific Region”, where she leads the preparatory research and provides supervision and counselling to junior researchers. She also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Kanak Mohiley is one of the founder directors at the Shree Swami Sarang Global Peace Foundation based out of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. She completed her undergraduation in Political Science and History from Miranda House, University of Delhi in 2021. Currently, she is a student at the Jindal School of International Affairs where she is pursuing Masters of Arts in Diplomacy, Law and Business. She is also a student of International Humanitarian Rights diploma course at The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research, Hyderabad. Kanak is an excellent orator, a well versed researcher and an enthusiastic learner. Her main areas of interest include: security studies, development studies, governance issues and soft power diplomacy.
Kartikeya Pandey is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. He holds a diverse academic background, having obtained a Master's degree in East Asian Studies (majoring in Japan) from the University of Delhi, New Delhi. Additionally, he has pursued a Master's degree in Political Science from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Prior to his postgraduate studies, he successfully completed a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He has a profound interest in China's foreign policy and geopolitics as a whole and has also showcased his expertise through various writings, including an article centred on China's manoeuvres in the Arctic region. Furthermore, beyond written publications, he had also presented his research paper at the esteemed 2nd International Hybrid Conference on Japanology, hosted by the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh.
Khushi Kimothi is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. She pursued her bachelors in Chinese studies from Doon University, Dehradun. During her time as an intern for ORCA, she explored the domestic challenges and happenings in China; examined multi-layered issues to determine how Asian countries like China and India can take advantage of their geopolitical position in terms of security and development of their economy. Khushi is currently working as a Mandarin speaking Consultant at SG Analytics. In her free time she likes to read contemporary Chinese texts that question the presets of society.
Kian Donovan is an American Undergraduate Student at King’s College London. He is currently in the War Studies BA Program while studying Mandarin Chinese. His research focuses on East Asian international politics and security.
Krisha Trivedi is a student of International Studies and Business Analytics at FLAME University. Her active involvement in risk analysis is supplemented with her corporate experience in asset and fund management. She is also involved in research projects relating to economic policies, international law and geopolitics. In addition, her skillset includes proficiency in Programming languages, Japanese, French and German.
Kriti is an undergraduate student at FLAME University pursuing Data Science and Economics. She is proficient in C++, Python, MySQL, and data visualisation tools such as Tableau. Her areas of interest lie in building predictive models and utilising machine learning to enhance decision-making and tackle real-world challenges.
Krzysztof Iwanek is the head of the Asia Research Centre (War Studies University, Poland). His main interests revolve around Indian politics and history and he has published a number of academic and non-academic articles on this subject; Krzysztof is a regular contributor to the Diplomat, and aside from this his texts were published, among others, by the Lowy Institute, Observer Research Foundation or the Polish Institute for International Affairs. He has also published a monograph with Oxford University Press (‘Endless Siege. Education and Nationalism in Vidya Bharati school’). In 2004-2005, he stayed in India for an advanced Hindi course on a scholarship awarded by ICCR. From 2014 to 2016 Krzysztof taught Hindi, history of India and Indian foreign policy at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Republic of Korea; he also held courses on Indian politics at Warsaw University and Collegium Civitas. He holds two MA degrees: in History and in South Asian Studies, and a PhD in Cultural Studies. He has also co-authored a history of India in Polish titled Indie. Od kolonii do mocarstwa. 1857-2013 (“India. From a Colony to a Power. 1857-2013″; with Adam Burakowski). He contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Kushal Agrawal has a robust background, having worked at the Indian Pugwash Society and MP-IDSA. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Jindal Global University and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Mumbai. Kushal has produced comprehensive news digests and issue briefs and has coordinated high-profile events, offering valuable insights into global and regional issues.
Lam Tran is a program coordinator for Australia Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where she focuses on projects involving U.S.-Australia relations and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Prior to joining CSIS, Lam worked at the Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and at the Congressional Research Service, where her research revolved around China's political economy, the U.S.-Japan-Vietnam relation, issues related to data governance, and emerging technology policy. She is also a member of the Pacific Forum Young Leaders Program. Lam graduated magna cum laude with a BA in government and China studies and a minor in English literature from Franklin and Marshall College. Listen to Lam Tran's episode of The ORCA Files here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Lucas Myers is the Senior Associate for Southeast Asia at the Wilson Center’s Asia Program, where he administers the Wilson China Fellowship. Professionally proficient in Mandarin Chinese, his research interests include Southeast Asia, Chinese foreign policy, and Indo-Pacific security. He focuses on the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and the changing balance of power spurred by the rise of China. In 2023, Myers was selected as an Emerging Quad Think Tank Leader, an initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Leaders Lead on Demand program.
Mahek Marwaha is a Master’s student of OP Jindal University, Jindal School Of International Affairs building an academic background in International Relations with a broad interest in security, trade, and politics of the Asia Region with a specialized focus on China Studies and Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Studies.
Mahima Duggal is a Research Associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) in New Delhi. She is also an Associated Research Fellow at the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA) of the Institute for Security & Development Policy (ISDP), Stockholm, and Editorial Assistant to the Series Editor for Routledge Studies on Think Asia. Ms. Duggal holds a MA (distinction) in International Security from the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS), University of Warwick, UK. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China" and our podcast, The ORCA Files. Listen to the episode here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Maj Gen Mandip Singh, SM, VSM (Retd) is presently a Distinguished Fellow at United Service Institution of India (USI), a leading Military think tank based in New Delhi. He is also a Senior Fellow at Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies & Analyses, where he previously headed the East Asia Centre. Maj. Gen. Singh is also a Visiting Fellow at Mercator Institute of China Studies, Berlin, Germany and Visiting Faculty at ITBP Academy Mussoorie, BSF Academy, Tekanpur, DSSC Wellington, Naval War College (Goa), Air War College (Hyderabad), Panjab University and Allahabad University.
Manav Lal is an Economics and Public Policy graduate from FLAME University, currently interning at Centre for Civil Society, New Delhi.
Mandar is pursuing a master's in IR and Strategic Studies at the University of Mumbai. He follows China's policies, both domestic and international, closely. He has also published articles on defence, the global economy, food security, and the outlook of various Indian industries.
Manoj Kewalramani is the chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Research Programme and a China studies fellow at the Takshashila Institution, a leading Indian public policy education center. His research interests include Chinese politics, foreign policy, approaches to new technologies, and addressing questions of how India can work with like-minded partners to deal with the challenges presented by China's rise. Manoj is the author of Smokeless War: China’s Quest for Geopolitical Dominance (Bloomsbury India, 2021), which discusses China’s political, diplomatic, economic, and narrative responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. He also writes a weekly newsletter, Eye on China, which tracks developments in China from an Indian perspective, and a daily newsletter analyzing news coverage and discourse in the People's Daily. Prior to joining Takshashila, Manoj spent over a decade working as a journalist in India and China, where he also helped set up digital newsrooms and train young journalists. He also contributed to our podcast, The ORCA Files. Listen to the episode here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Manushka Sharma is a dedicated second year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese (Hons.) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). With a keen interest in international relations, particularly in the dynamics of India-China relations, Manushka brings a unique perspective to understanding cross-cultural connections and geopolitical issues. Alongside academic pursuits, Manushka aspires to make significant contributions to global affairs, leveraging linguistic skills and cultural insights to bridge gaps and foster dialogue. She can be reached at manushka82006@gmail.com.
Maria Sony is currently pursuing my master's in International Studies from Symbiosis International University. She completed her bachelor's in History honours from St. Stephen's College, New Delhi. She has a keen interest in Asian area studies and soft power projections. She also loves learning new languages and she is currently completing a course in Mandarin.
Educated both in Indian philology and ethnology, Martin Hříbek is an assistant professor in Bengali and Indian studies at the Institute of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague. Besides his Alma Mater he was previously affiliated to the Department of Sociology, Calcutta University, India (2001-2004) and to the Monash Asia Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (Fall 2014). His research interests include Bengali language and literature, Anthropology and Sociology of India, Indian nationalism, Czech-Indian relations, Indo-Pacific. He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Mohamad Zreik is a recognized scholar in International Relations. His recent work in soft power diplomacy compares China’s methods in the Middle East and East Asia. His extensive knowledge spans Middle Eastern Studies, China-Arab relations, East Asian and Asian Affairs, Eurasian geopolitics, and Political Economy, providing him a unique viewpoint in his field. Dr. Zreik is a proud recipient of a PhD from Central China Normal University (Wuhan). He’s written numerous acclaimed papers, many focusing on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its Arab-region impact. His significant contributions make him a crucial figure in understanding contemporary international relations.
Mohammed Afnan completed Masters Degree - MA in "Politics:International and Area Studies" from MMAJ Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He completed Bachelor of Arts ( BA) in Political Science from University of Calicut, Kerala. His main research areas include India's foreign policy, geopolitics of South Asia, peace and conflict.
Mohit Musaddi is an independent political and security risk consultant. He has a master’s degree in international relations from the War Studies Department of King’s College London.
Neil Thomas is a Fellow for Chinese Politics at Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, where he studies elite politics, political economy, and foreign policy. Previously, he was a Senior Analyst for China and Northeast Asia at Eurasia Group, a Senior Research Associate at MacroPolo, and a lecturer at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. He has testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission and his writing appears in publications including The China Story, ChinaFile, Foreign Policy, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Lowy Interpreter, The Washington Post, and The Wire China.
Mrunal Sule works as a Supervisor at the Symbiosis Centre for European Studies. She also facilitates multicultural activities for Indian and international students in Symbiosis E-academies on internationalisation. She has a Master's degree in International Relations and Costing and a decade of experience working in International Higher Education in various roles. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Nafisa Nazin Lutfa is currently, working as a teaching assistant at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). She is postgraduate student at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) with a major in International Relations. National politics, international political economy, security studies, and public policy are all areas of research and interested.
Nandita Khadgi works as a faculty at MU Institute of Cooperation and Development (MICD- MU). Her areas of research interest focus on Migration and Refugees, South Asia and China Studies, Regional Security of South Asia, Small State Security, Non-Traditional Security and Trans-Himalayan connectivity. She has presented academic papers at national and international conferences. She also worked as a Research Associate at NIICE Nepal. She has worked as a senior lecturer at various academic institutions in Nepal. She pursued a Master’s Degree of Law in International Relations from School of International Studies at Sichuan University, China. She is also an MBA graduate from Westcliff University. She is also a contributor to ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on "Transboundary Water Security in South Asia"
Narender Kumar is currently a Doctoral student at Jindal School of International Relations at O.P. Jindal Global University. He previously holds a Masters’s degree in Theological Studies from Mysore University, followed by another Masters in Global Studies from Ambedkar University Delhi. His research interests include international water conflicts, Indo-Bangladesh and China relations, Hydroelectricity projects, Environmental governance, and transnational politics over the common property resources (CPR)
Neeraj Singh MANHAS is a Director, Indo-Pacific, at Raisina House, New Delhi. He has authored three books under his name and has various research interests covering India-China in the Indian Ocean, India’s maritime securities, and Indo-Pacific studies. His writings have appeared in The Guardian, The Diplomatist, Chanakya Forum, World Geo-Strategic Insights, and The Rise, among other online platforms. He has participated in various National and International seminars and conferences, and published over 150 papers
Nehantha Sathesh is third year student at FLAME University, majoring in economics. Her academic interests point towards understanding the economic interaction between countries and how it impacts the development of a country. In her spare time, you can find her unwinding through music and books. She did her FLAME Summer Internship Program (SIP) at ORCA.
Nichole Ballawar is a Senior visiting faculty at Government law College Nagpur. He has also worked with the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) as a Research Associate and Janes as a Defence Analyst. He has also worked with the Ministry of External Affairs as a China Research assistant and United Nations Development Program as an Intern. He worked with organisations like NIICE, The Diplomatist, 9dashline etc. and published various research papers. He is an author of various articles related to China, Nuclear non-proliferation and arms control.
Nidhi Piplani Kapur is a PhD Scholar researching on 'Internationalisation at Home' at the South East Technological University in Ireland. She has recently been awarded the prestigious Irish Research Council, Government of Ireland Scholarship for her research. Nidhi is a renowned speaker and practitioner in internationalisation of higher education and has contributed to developing and shaping internationalisation at home strategies through her role as Head of Symbiosis Centre for European Studies, Symbiosis in India. She was also the recipient of the European Centre for Business and Industry's Award recognizing 40 under 40 leaders that will shape India-EU relations. She contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Niranjan Marjani is a Political Analyst specializing in international relations and geopolitics. His areas of work are India’s foreign policy, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indo-Pacific Region, Europe and Spain. He is also the Consulting Editor of The Kootneeti Español, a New Delhi-based Spanish-language magazine on international relations. He tweets at @NiranjanMarjani
Nisarg Jani is an undergraduate in International Relations, currently seeking a master’s degree in Politics and International Relations. His research interest lies in South Asia studies, Chinese studies with the sub themes on cultural and security studies of the given region. He aims to work as a lingua franca between academia and policy making.
Noel Therattil is an advocate with a MA in Space and Telecom Law from NALSAR (DDE). He is currently a Schwarzman Scholar at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University. Prior to this he was a LAMP fellow (2019-2020) and was a Young Professional in the Anti-Trust Division (ATD) of the Competition Commission of India (2022-2023).
Oktay Kucukdegirmenci graduated from Balikesir University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration in 2015 in Turkey. In 2018, he completed his master’s degree at Atilim University, Department of International Relations in Turkey. Kucukdegirmneci is continuing his doctorate studies in the Department of International Politics at Shandong University, China. kucukdegirmenci, who carries out his studies in Chinese Foreign Policy, Japanese Foreign Policy, sino-Japanese Relations, Sino-Russian Relations and Cold War History.
Omkar Bhole is a Senior Research Associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). He has studied Chinese language up to HSK4 and completed Masters in China Studies from Somaiya University, Mumbai. He has previously worked as a Chinese language instructor in Mumbai and Pune. His research interests are India’s neighbourhood policy, China’s foreign policy in South Asia, economic transformation and current dynamics of Chinese economy and its domestic politics. He was previously associated with the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) and What China Reads. He has also presented papers at several conferences on China. Omkar is currently working on understanding China’s Digital Yuan initiative and its implications for the South Asian region including India. He can be reached at omkar.bhole@orcasia.org and @bhole_omkar on Twitter.
Ophelia Yumlembam is a Research Assistant at the Dept. Of Political Science, University of Delhi. Before joining DU, she interned at the Council for Strategic and Defence Research in New Delhi. She graduated with an M.A. in Political Science from the DU in 2023. Ophelia focuses on security and strategic-related developments in Myanmar, India's Act East Policy, India-Myanmar relations, and drugs and arms trafficking in India’s North Eastern Region. Her writings have been featured in the Diplomat, South Asian Voices (Stimson Centre), 9dashline, Observer Research Foundation, among other platforms.
Parimal Saraf is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. He is pursuing his Master's in International Studies from Christ University, Bengaluru. He is keenly interested in several conflicts occurring in the Sahel region, East Asia and Latin America and wishes to research their impact on businesses and the economy. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parimal-saraf/
Parth Prasad is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing International Relations and Public Policy. His interests lie in international economics, diplomacy studies as well as Indian foreign policy analysis. His interests and area of research often brings him on Indo-Sino relations, thus igniting his interest in understanding Chinese polity.
Patryk Szczotka (@p_szczotka) is a MSc student at “China and International Relations” double degree program at Aalborg University and the University of International Relations (国际关系学院) in Beijing. His research interests include political and economic relations between the CEE countries and the PRC.
I am a third-year undergraduate majoring in International Relations at Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, Greater Noida specializing in gender, security, and digitalization. My interests include policy making and South Asian studies, with a particular focus on international migration, subaltern communities, and democratic studies. I am keen to conduct policy research in these areas in the future.
Pawel Behrendt is a Political Science PhD candidate at the University of Vienna. He is a Member of the Board at the Boym Institute in Warsaw and a regular contributor to konflikty.pl, and Polish edition of Forbes.
Paweł Paszak is PhD Student at War Studies Academy (Warsaw, Poland). Analyst in Institute of New Europe (INE). His research focuses on US-China strategic confrontation in the Indo-Pacific and China-V4 relations.
Prakash Raj is a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Hyderabad, India. He is currently working on ‘China’s Belt and Road Initiative.’ (BRI) His research interests are focused on BRI, Geopolitics, Maritime Silk Route. China’s Foreign Policy and China’s Economic Policy. He can be reached at @PrakashRajLanSe
Prejomon Sunny Chummar holds a Master's degree in International and Area Studies from MMAJ Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from EFLU Shillong. His interests revolve around the intersection of cinema, culture, and politics, including the intricate dynamics of soft power politics. Additionally, his scholarly interests encompass the rich histories and cultures of China, Russia and Central Asia. With a keen passion for cinema and literature, he is an ardent cinephile and devoted reader.
Prisha Thakore, a first-year student at Flame University, Pune, delves into the realms of economics and finance with a focus on China and Southeast Asia. As an ORCA research intern, she explores the intricate connections between these regions and the global markets.
Priyanka Raman is a final-year student at Shiv Nadar University Noida, with a major in international relations and a minor in communications. Through her degree, she has had the opportunity to pursue multiple courses relating to Chinese politics and is deeply interested in politics of the Party media and knowledge dessimination. Her research interests surround topics of propaganda media and politics, gender and international relations and refugee politics.
Professor Hideshi Tokuchi entered the Japan Defense Agency in 1979 as a civilian and assumed the position of the first Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs in 2014 until retiring from the Ministry of Defense in 2015. Mr. Tokuchi also worked for the US National Defense University in 1995-1996 as a Visiting Fellow. He taught Japan’s national security policy at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) for many years. He now works as a Senior Fellow for GRIPS Alliance and as a Visiting Fellow for the Institute of International Relations, Sophia University and as a Senior Research Adviserfor for the Institute for International Policy Studies. Mr. Tokuchi was born in 1955. He earned a degree of Bachelor of Laws at the University of Tokyo in 1979 and a degree of Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1986.
Radomir Romanov is Current affairs program editor on “Newsography.com” and ,ember of the interregional public organization “China-Russia Friendship Association”. He completed his Bachelors in “Interpretation and Translation Studies” at the Department of Japanese Studies and Masters from Cchool of International Relations at the Department of Japanese, Korean, Indonesian and Mongolian Languages.
Rafayat Ahmed Shanto is currently a research intern at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), a government think tank in Bangladesh. He is perusing his Masters in International Relations from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).
Rahul Karan Reddy is a Senior Research Associate at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). He works on domestic Chinese politics and trade, producing data-driven research in the form of reports, dashboards and digital media. He is the author of ‘Islands on the Rocks’, a monograph about the Senkaku/Diaoyu island dispute between China and Japan. Rahul was previously a research analyst at the Chennai Center for China Studies (C3S). He is the creator of the India-China Trade dashboard and the Chinese Provincial Development Indicators dashboard. His work has been published in The Diplomat, East Asia Forum, ISDP & Tokyo Review, among others. He can be reached via email at rahulkaran.reddy@gmail.com and @RahulKaranRedd1 on Twitter.
Rahul Kheswa has recently completed his MA in East Asian Studies with a specialisation in China from the University of Delhi. For his BA, he majored in History and Political Science. During his MA, he learnt elementary Mandarin Chinese through elective course. Rahul’s research interest lies in Chinese society and continental philosophy.
Rahul Pandey, is a PhD Candidate in Jawaharlal Nehru University, with a research focus on the domestic politics of China, particularly the Communist Party of China. He hold a Bachelor's degree in Political Science (Honours) and a Master's degree in Political Science from Delhi University, and an MPhil in Chinese Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. His research expertise lies in the dynamics of Cadre Recruitment, Chinese politics, and political science, driving my passion to contribute meaningfully to the field through my academic pursuits. He aspires to make a contribution in the field of quantitative political science and China studies in India.
Rajyavishek Pradhan is an Assistant Professor at North Bengal St. Xavier's College, India. He regularly writes on geopolitics and strategic issues for national and international publications, including The Geopolitics, The Diplomatist, Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) and South Asia Monitor. His research interests lie in the fields of International Relations Theory, US Foreign Policy, Indo-China Relations, security studies and geopolitics.
Rakshith Shetty is currently pursuing his Master’s in Diplomacy, Law and Business from the Jindal School of International Affairs. He was a Research Intern at the Vivekananda International Foundation. He is also the centre coordinator for two research centres namely The Centre for North East Asian Studies and The Centre for Analytical Research and Engagement. His interests include Chinese Foreign Policy, Religious minorities in China, South Asian Studies, Corporate Threat Intelligence, Geopolitical Risk Intelligence.
Ramyani Kundu is an Undergraduate student from Shiv Nadar IoE, pursuing a B.A.(Research) English with a Minor in International Relations. Her research interests include understanding the role of narratives in geopolitical relations and foreign policy's of nation-states. She further posits interest in South/East Asian literature and Continental philosophy
Ratish Mehta is a Research Associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). He is a postgraduate in Global Studies from Ambedkar University, Delhi and works on gauging India’s regional and global political interests. His area of focus include understanding the value of narratives, rhetoric and ideology in State and non-State interactions, deconstructing political narratives in Global Affairs as well as focusing on India’s Foreign Policy interests in the Global South and South Asia. He was previously associated with The Pranab Mukherjee Foundation and has worked on projects such as Indo-Sino Relations, History of the Constituent Assembly of India and the Evolution of Democratic Institutions in India. His forthcoming projects at ORCA include a co-edited Special Issue on India’s Soft Power Diplomacy in South Asia, Tracing India’s Path as the Voice of the Global South and Deconstructing Beijing’s ‘Global’ Narratives.
Mrs. Rekha Pankaj is a senior Hindi Journalist with over 38 years of experience. Over the course of her career, she has been the Editor-in-Chief of Newstimes and been an Editor at newspapers like Vishwa Varta, Business Link, Shree Times, Lokmat and Infinite News. Early in her career, she worked at Swatantra Bharat of the Pioneer Group and The Times of India's Sandhya Samachar. During 1992-1996, she covered seven sessions of the Lok Sabha as a Principle Correspondent. She maintains a blog, Kaalkhand, on which she publishes her independent takes on domestic and foreign politics from an Indian lens.
Richard A. Bitzinger is an Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Military Transformations Program at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), where his work has focused on security and defense issues relating to the Asia-Pacific region, including military-technological innovation and force transformation. He was a Senior Fellow at RSIS from 2006 to 2021, and he headed up the Military Transformations Program from 2012 to 2018. He has written several books, monographs, and book chapters, and his articles have appeared in such journals as International Security, Orbis, China Quarterly, and Survival. He is the author of Arming Asia: Technonationalism and Its Impact on Local Defense Industries (2017), and the editor of Defense Industries in the 21st Century: A Comparative Analysis (2020) and Reshaping the Chinese Military: The PLA’s Roles and Missions in the Xi Jinping Era (2019). His other publications include “Come the Revolution: Transforming the Asia- Pacific’s Militaries” (Naval War College Review, 2005) and “Military-Technological Innovation in Small States: The Cases of Israel and Singapore” (Journal of Strategic Studies, 2021). He has previously worked at the RAND Corporation, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Affairs, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, and the US Central Intelligence Agency. He contributed to our podcast, The ORCA Files. Listen to the episode here: https://orcasia.org/pages/orcafiles
Riddhima Singh is a final year student at Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi, pursuing Chinese Honours course. Through her degree she has had the opportunity to dive into culture, history and contemporary issues in Chinese society through language and research. Her research area surrounds the economic and fiscal policies of Communist Party of China and China's development model.
Ridipt Singh is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. He is an academic researcher with an M.A. in International Studies from Symbiosis School of International Studies, Pune. His research verticals include International Security, Emerging Technologies, Global Political Economy, and strategic infrastructure development. He has contributed research in multiple think tanks and regularly contributes short-form articles around Asian affairs.
Robert Barnett works on nationality issues in China, focusing on modern Tibetan history, politics, and culture. He is a Professor, Research Associate and Senior Research Fellow at SOAS, University of London, and an Affiliate Lecturer at the Lau China Institute, Kings College, London. He founded and directed the Modern Tibetan Studies Program at Columbia University in New York 1999-2017 and has also taught at Princeton, INALCO (Paris), Tibet University (Lhasa) and IACER (Kathmandu). Recent books and edited volumes include Forbidden Memory: Tibet During the Cultural Revolution by Tsering Woeser (Nebraska, 2020) and Conflicting Memories - Tibetan History under Mao Retold with Benno Weiner and Françoise Robin (Brill, 2019). He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Rushali Saha is currently serving as a Research Analyst at the Diplomat Risk Intelligence. Previously she served as a Research Associate at the Center for Air Power Studies, New Delhi. She holds a masters degree in Politics with International Relations from Jadavpur University. She graduated summa cum laude from the same university with an undergraduate degree in political science. Her research interests include the evolving geopolitics of Indo-Pacific, with a special focus on India’s foreign policies in the region.
Sachin Singh, an engineer turned geopolitical analyst, earned his postgraduate degree from the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. His major interest areas include Chinese politics, India-China relations, Taiwan and cross-strait relations, South Korean foreign policy, Indo-Pacific security architecture, and South Asian geopolitics along with Non-State Armed Groups in the region. He has also worked as a Research Analyst for Asia-Pacific region at Janes, a London based Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) firm. He can be reached at: -@IndianguySachin
Saee Vaidya is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. She has completed her graduation in Political Science, and is pursuing her Master's in International Security from Sciences Po, Paris. Her areas of interest include Asia Studies and Counter-Terrorism. Saee also learns Chinese (HSK 4) and French (C1), and aims to pursue a career in Intelligence Gathering and Analysis.
Samikshya Das is a former research intern at Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), New Delhi, India. Samikshya has finished her Master's in International Studies from Symbiosis International University. She has a bachelor's degree in law and she is interested in Indian Foreign Policy and Indian political Research.
Samrat Shrestha is currently working as a secretary and a researcher at Institute for International Relations Nepal (IIRN). He is an undergraduate student at China Three Georges University (CTGU) with a major in International Relations. His interest span across fields of Politics, Economics, International Relations, Foreign Policy and Entrepreneurship.
The author completed her graduation in Geography and Economics from WBSU and opted for the PG Diploma in International Affairs and Diplomacy from IIGL. The author is pursuing a dual master's programme, one in Public Administration (NSOU) and Diplomacy, Law, and Business (Jindal School of International Affairs). Her research interests are on Indian foreign policy, Chinese diplomacy, and Indo-Pacific dynamics.
Sanjana Shah is a graduate in International Studies with a minor in Journalism from FLAME University, Pune. Her interests lie in exploring the nuances and intricacies of geopolitics and understanding the complexities that arise from the socio-political-economic nexus. She is deeply interested in history, defence and security studies, and humanitarian studies.
Sanjay Pulipaka is the Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation. He was a Pavate Fellow at the University of Cambridge and a former Fulbright Fellow in the United States. Twitter: @psanjay_in
Sanya is a Research Analyst and currently working on urban resilience and water and climate programs. She has also worked on Feminist Foreign Policy projects. Her efforts have involved in extensive research, data collection, conducting interviews and contributing to the development of in-house papers as well as external publications. She holds a master’s degree in International Relations from University of Bath, United kingdom, where her final dissertation was entitled, “Lifting the veil of women’s participation in the world of terror: Al-Qaeda and LTTE take advantage”. Her research interests include conflict resolution, peace building and gender studies. She is also a contributing author for ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on 'Transboundary Water Security in South Asia".
Saranya Menon is a UG2 student at FLAME University, majoring in International Relations with a minor in Public Policy. Excited to apply academic knowledge, she is interning at ORCA to gain practical insights into foreign policy and looks forward to enhancing her understanding of International Relations through this internship.
Saranya Sircar is associated as a Consultant for the East Asia Research Programme at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi. She previously interned with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi. She did her post-graduation in Conflict Analysis and Peace Building from Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. She graduated in Political Science Honours from Gargi College, University of Delhi. Saranya’s areas of research interest include geopolitical and security issues in larger East and South Asian regions, Indian foreign policy, global climate change and environmental issues, gender issues, matters of peace and conflict, regionalism, and other related domains. She can be reached at saranya.ruai@gmail.com
Sejal Dalvi is a Political Science graduate from the University of Mumbai and now pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy from St.Xavier’s College. Her research interests include International relations, Environment and sustainability and Urban governance. Her research papers have previously been published on NITI TANTRA. Her experiences, coupled with a genuine passion for research and addressing societal challenges, have solidified her commitment to policymaking.
Shalini Singh is currently working as a Junior Researcher and Copyeditor at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). Earlier, she has worked with the National Maritime Foundation as a research intern and Political Risk and Threat Intelligence Analyst Intern with Horizon Intelligence. She has also worked with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as a Research Intern and Field Investigator. In addition, she has worked as an editor with Alexis Foundation and Hindustan Publishing Corporation. Her core interests lie in Energy Security, International Institutions, and China’s presence in Africa and the Middle East.
Shantanu Roy-Chaudhury is a foreign affairs analyst with an interest in China and its relations with South Asia. He is the author of The China Factor: Beijing's Expanding Engagement with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Myanmar (Routledge, 2023). Shantanu is currently pursuing his second Master’s degree at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He has previously worked at the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) and the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) think tanks in New Delhi. Shantanu has an MPhil from the University of Oxford (St. Antony's College) and a Bachelor’s degree from Hindu College, University of Delhi.
Shashank Semwal has completed his Master's from the Jindal School of International Affairs in Diplomacy, Law and Business. His research interests mainly include Chinese foreign policy.
Shivam Shekhawat is a recent graduate from the London School of Economics and Political Science where she was a Commonwealth Scholar. She is interested in studying about India’s neighbourhood, particularly India’s relationship with China and its response to the situation in Afghanistan and Myanmar. Her interests also lie in analyzing contemporary conflicts through a historical lens and the factors which affect a country’s response to humanitarian crises.
Shivam Shukla is currently pursuing (B.A.LLB.) law from RTMNU’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law at Nagpur, India.
Shivangi Dikshit is Research Assistant at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and co-currently a Senior Research Analyst at Nehginpoa Kipgen Centre for Southeast Asian Studies. She is particularly interested in Southeast Asian Studies, particularly the role of India and China in the region. She focuses on India’s Act East Policy and relations with countries in Southeast Asia. Shivangi is also interested in traditional and non-traditional security issues in the Indo-Pacific. She can be reached @DikshitShivangi on Twitter.
Shourjyadipta Roy is currently pursuing his Masters' in Political Science and International Relations from the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University. He takes a keen interest in Chinese foreign policy, China's impact on the world and Chinese politics as a whole. He plans to pursue research in the near future.
Dr Shraddha Rishi, is an Assistant Professor, who teaches Politics and Governance in South Asia at Magadh University, Bihar, India. The author has earned a PhD from the Centre for South Asian Studies, JNU, New Delhi, India.
Shreyas Deshmukh is a Research Associate with the National Security Program at Delhi Policy Group, a think tank in New Delhi, India. Prior to joining DPG, he worked with MitKat Advisory Services as a geopolitical risk analyst and Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). He holds a master’s degree in defense and strategic studies from the University of Pune. He frequently writes on the geopolitical developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan. His academic focus is socio-political and security issues in South Asia. He is also a contributor to ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on "Transboundary Water Security in South Asia".
Siddhant Nair is a post graduate student in Interdisciplinary Studies and Research, specializing in International Relations. He has previously interned in ORCA, The Gateway House and Chennai Center for China Studies. You can find him on twitter @siddhant__nair
Simran Walia is a Research Scholar, pursuing M.Phil in Japanese Studies under the Centre for East Asian Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Prior to this, she was working as a Research Assistant at ORF, New Delhi. She has published articles and papers in magazines and websites like ‘The diplomat’, ‘the Geopolitics’, ‘Indian Defence Review’, Global Policy Journal and elsewhere. Her research interests include Japanese politics and foreign policy and East Asian foreign policy too. she can be reached at Twitter handle: @simranwalia10
Siva Kumar is a committed and aspiring international relations scholar with a strong desire to know global dynamics. Siva has a strong academic foundation in international relations and has shown a deep interest in understanding the complexities of international relations.
Dr. Sriparna Pathak is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Centre for Northeast Asian Studies at the School of International Affairs at O.P. Jindal Global University, Haryana. She teaches courses on Foreign Policy of China and Theories of International Relations. Her previous work experience covers Universities like Gauhati University, Don Bosco University; the Ministry of External Affairs; think tanks like Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi and Kolkata respectively, South Asia Democratic Forum in Brussels where she is a Research Fellow and the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research in New Delhi where she worked as a researcher.
Sruthi Kalyani is a research scholar at the Centre of East Asian Studies (Chinese Studies Division), School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Area Studies, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering. Her research interests include China’s Artificial Intelligence strategy, emerging technologies in international affairs, critical security studies, and technology policy.
Suki Dusanj-Lenz is a co-founder of Fashion Revolution India and Founder of Once Upon A Media, Switzerland who will write in her article on the problems of sustainability, globalisation and fashion industry in the context of EU-India-China relations. Fashion Revolution is the world’s fastest growing global campaign calling for a sustainable fashion industry, now in over 90 countries campaigning for a more responsible and accountable industry. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Supradip Das is a student of Master’s (Final Year) in Chinese language and China Studies at the Department of Chinese Language and Culture (Cheena-Bhavana), Visva-Bharati University. His focus is to foster in-depth knowledge of China Studies along with the language. He pursued one year of advanced training in the Chinese language from Beijing Language and Culture University, China, under the joint scholarship program of MHRD, Govt. of India, and China Scholarship Council Govt. of PRC. Besides his studies, Supradip is currently engaged as a Chinese language instructor in an NGO named the UMRAN Green Perspective Foundation based in Madhubani, Bihar & Istanbul, Turkey. The main areas of his interest are – Traditional Philosophies of East & South-East Asia, India-China Civilizational Exchanges, Influence of Tagore in China, Evolution of Cultural and Historical Spheres in China.
Taasha Mistry is a third year undergraduate student at FLAME University, pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Advertising & Branding. After having completed an internship at International SOS, she has found her interests to lie in security and strategic studies. Intrigued by the ever changing dynamics in the modern day world, she keeps herself updated with daily news and events.
Tamiliniyaa Rangarajan is a fourth-year undergraduate student of International Relations and Governance Studies, at Shiv Nadar University. Her research interests are geared towards understanding the implications of political economy, and culture and soft power- applying these to the Chinese context. In her spare time, she likes to experiment with photography and pick up foreign languages.
Tanishk Saxena is former Executive Outreach Head with Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA), Social Media Consultant with UNSYNC, Project Associate with Asian Pathfinders and perusing his PGDM with specialisation in International Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations . Mr Saxena was associated with Mitkat Advisory Ltd. – Information Services Department, Mahindra Rise – Mahindra Construction Equipment as a Management Trainee and as a mentor for Teach for India. Had done Masters in International Studies from Symbiosis School of International Studies and BBA-LLB (Hons.) as Bachelors Degree. He practised as a Criminal Advocate in District and Session Court. His research interests span across Chinese Politics, Private Military Contractors, International Relations, Security and Business Continuity Management. He can also be reached on Twitter @tanishk007.
Tarini Agarwal is a twenty-year-old student at Lady Shri Ram College for Women with a passion for history and penchant for writing about issues of contemporary relevance.
Taru Ahluwalia completed her Post-Graduation in East Asian Studies from the University of Delhi and her Under-Graduation in English from Lady Shri Ram College for Women. She aims to decode the enigma that is East Asia and examine its geopolitical re-positioning in today’s world. She holds a diploma in Korean Language and aspires to learn Chinese one day.
The author has chosen to publish under a different name. Taylor is in charge of External Communications at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and works for a political think tank in the Netherlands. Born in Amsterdam, she has pursued her studies in the United States, Madrid, London, and Shanghai. Recently, she completed a double master's degree in Global Political Economy of China and Europe from the London School of Economics and Fudan University.
TEG PRATAAP SINGH SANDHU has previously interned at think-tanks such as National Maritime Foundation and Global Peace Foundation. His research interests include Chinese Foreign Policy; Peace and Conflict Studies in West Asia and South Asia. He has published articles related to the spread of political Islam across the Middle East; The failure of democracy in Pakistan, and the Chinese debt trap diplomacy. He is presently working on the project ‘Management of the Indo-Bangladesh border’ with UNESCO, Guwahati.
Tenzin Lhadon is an International Relations scholar, having received her Doctoral Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She is currently a Research Fellow at the Tibetan Policy Institute, Dharamsala and her work focuses on Tibet, China’s relations with the US and EU, and Human Rights. She has published chapters in edited Volumes, and presented papers at various national and international academic conferences. She has also published various commentaries and has frequently been featured as an expert panelist by various news outlets. She contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Thasnim Kalam is a research scholar, currently pursuing a PhD at the Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry University. Her research mainly focuses on water security in South Asia and India-China bilateral relations with respect to water politics. She completed her graduation in Political Science from Delhi University and Post graduation in International Relations and Area Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is also a contributor to ORCA-NIICE Special Issue on "Transboundary Water Security in South Asia".
Torbjörn Lodén is head of the Stockholm China Center at ISDP, professor emeritus of Chinese language and culture at Stockholm University and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities. From 1973 to 1976 he served as Swedish cultural attaché to China, and he has been a visiting professor in Hong Kong and Beijing. He has published numerous works on Chinese thought, literature, history, and politics, for example Rediscovering Confucianism (2006) and Kinas vägval – från himmelskt imperium till global stormakt [China’s choice of road – from celestial empire to global great power, 2012]. He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Toshika Shukla is a 4th year undergraduate student at Shiv Nadar University, majoring in International Relations and Governance Studies. Through the course of her study, she has gained a keen interest in areas such as soft power diplomacy, gender studies, and cultural relations. Her interests also revolve around questions of power, China’s domestic policies combined with theoretical perspectives of analysis.
Trishala S is a Junior Research Associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia (ORCA). She holds a degree in Sociology with a minor in Public Policy from FLAME University. Trishala’s research interests lie at the intersection of socio-political dynamics, family and gender studies, and legal frameworks, with a particular focus on China. Her work examines the effects of aging populations, gender disparities, and rural-urban migration on social welfare, labor policies, and the integration of migrants into urban environments. She is also the coordinator of ORCA's Global Conference on New Sinology (GCNS), which is India's premier dialogue driven China conference. She can be reached at trishala.s@orcasia.org and trishalasasianandkumar@gmail.com.
Triveni is a student of Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Bennett University and has contributed to the field of Indian Politics Journalism.
Umang Verma was a former intern at ORCA.
Uradyn E. Bulag is Professor of social anthropology at University of Cambridge. Author of Nationalism and Hybridity in Mongolia (1998), The Mongols at China’s Edge (2002), and Collaborative Nationalism (2010), his research interests broadly span East Asia and Inner Asia, especially China and Mongolia, and the Mongolia-Tibet interface. His latest book is A Chinese Rebel beyond the Great Wall: The Cultural Revolution and Ethnic Pogrom in Inner Mongolia (co-authored with TJ Cheng and Mark Selden, University of Chicago Press, 2023). He also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Ute Wallenböck is Assistant Professor of Chinese Studies at Masaryk University, Brno. Trained as a sinologist and Tibetologist, she holds a PhD in Chinese studies from the University of Vienna and a degree in social pedagogy. She is the author of Die Bevölkerung am Sino-Tibetischen Grenzgebiet. Identitätskonstruktion der Tibet-Mongolen (The Population along the Sino-Tibetan Borderland: Identity Construction of the Tibet-Mongols) (2019) and co-editor of The Daur at the Sino-Russian Borderlands (2021). She also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Vanshika is a recent graduate from Ashoka University with a degree in Economics and a minor in Computer Science. Her interests lie in understanding the global economy and its impact on international communities, policy-making, and the social sector. She is particularly drawn to quantitative analysis and has a keen interest in international economics, aiming to contribute to data-driven decision-making in global economic contexts.
Veda Jain is currently a third-year student at Flame University, majoring in International Studies and minoring in Literary and Cultural Studies. She has a strong interest in modern Chinese politics and is keen on analyzing the dynamics of Indo-China relations.
Vedika Tiwari is currently pursuing her BA.LLB from Baba Saheb Ambedkar College of Law at Nagpur, India. She is also an active member in Students’s committee of Moot court association
Viddhi Thakker is currently pursuing her Master’s in International Security at the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris, France. With an enriching research background in Diplomacy, Foreign Policy and Security Studies, Viddhi aims to deconstruct historical and contemporary relations between nations to foster greater avenues for cooperation. She also contributed to the ORCAxWICCI Special Issue "Building the Future of EU-India Strategic Partnership: Between Trade, Technology, Security and China."
Yoko Ishii is the President of Free Tibet Fukuoka. She is known to her fans as “Random Yoko.” She was born in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1985, and graduated from Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka majoring in English. Her YouTube channel on politics and history, randomyoko2, has more than 54,000 subscribers and has been viewed more than 8 million times. She has appeared in numerous print, online, and television outlets, and has published a book. Some of her work is published on Japan Forward and her commentary is seen on Fox News, CNN, BBC, CBS, NHK, South China Morning Post, Breitbart, and many more. She also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy is Affiliated Scholar at the Department of Political Science of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Free University of Brussels), Associated Research Fellow at the Institute for Security & Development Policy, Head of the Associates Network at 9DASHLINE, Research Fellow at Taiwan NextGen Foundation and Consultant on China, Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula at Human Rights Without Frontiers. Currently Zsuzsa is Assistant Professor at the National Dong Hwa University in Hualien, Taiwan. Zsuzsa’s fields of expertise are EU foreign and security policy, in particular in the Indo-Pacific, European normative power and human rights. Between 2008 and 2020 Zsuzsa worked as a political advisor in the European Parliament. She also contributed to the ORCAxISDP Special Issue "The Dalai Lama's Succession: Strategic Realities of the Tibet Question."
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