Past Interns

Muskan Punia is a Research Intern at ICS. She has completed her Bachelors in Political Science and Sociology from Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, and her Masters in Politics with Specialisation in International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She worked in Dharamshala for a month as a journalism intern, interviewing Tibetan activists in India and local Tibetans in Dharamshala. Her interests are the India-China border, their engagement with their respective neighbours, and the different lenses through which one can study borderlands.

Aishna Singh is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies. She holds an undergraduate degree in Geography Hons. from Miranda House University of Delhi and a PG Diploma in Digital Media from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Northeastern Regional Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram. She has also studied about Korea in detail as part of her Master’s degree in East Asian Studies at the University of Delhi. Aishna is also the co-founder of the youth run digital platform “The Eastern Sky” where she is a Podcast host and Writer. With The Eastern Sky, Aishna and her team aims to bring India, East and Southeast Asia closer through exchange of stories and ideas amongst youth in an exciting way much beyond the academic spectrum. Her interests lie in the Geopolitics of East and Southeast Asia, India-China border issues, Role of Asian Pop Culture in Foreign Relations, Korea’s Cultural Landscape and Northeast India’s role in India-ASEAN relations.

Tamiliniyaa Rangarajan is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies. She is pursuing her B.A. in International Relations (Research) from Shiv Nadar University. She spent a semester at National Quemoy University as a recipient of Taiwan’s Youth Elite Exchange Programme scholarship. She is interested in political economy, cultural diplomacy, and the politics of knowledge-making–particularly in the East Asian context. Tamiliniyaa recently presented a paper on the non-Western IR project, examining trends in Indian and Chinese scholarship, at her university’s research conference.

Alok is a research intern at ICS. He is also a China Studies Fellow at Takshashila Institution(2023-24). He finished his M. A. in Political science with International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has a keen interest in the political economy of China and its implications for the future growth and prosperity of the country. With a background in law, he is also interested in the intersection between law and the rise of big tech in china, the data protection regulations and the regulatory framework in general. His research at Takshashila Institution revolves around the political economy of innovation in China and its implications for the development of artificial intelligence.

Khushi Chandak is a Research Intern in the Institute of Chinese Studies. She is currently pursuing her 2nd year of undergraduation as a part of IIM Indore’s 5 year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM). She has completed courses in Micro and Macro Economics, Monetary Policy, Sociology, Political Science and Psychology. Her research interests lie in Gender studies and the Economy of East Asia. Apart from this, she is also interested in the scripts of languages.

Shikhar is a driven third-year student at IIM Indore, embarking on a unique yet enthralling journey at IIM Indore as a part of its flagship IPM program. He enjoys academic pursuits, particularly in the areas of finance, geopolitics and development, and research methodologies. Beyond the academic borders, he seeks pleasure and comfort in indulging in hobbies such as basketball, speed cubing, and reading. Fascinated by China's monumental presence as the world's second-largest economy and its thriving stock market, Shikhar's interests span capital markets, government interventions, policy formulation, and geopolitical dynamics. His active involvement as an associate of the Finance and Investment cell at IIM Indore underscores his commitment to financial literacy and leadership development. Having navigated the nuances of investing in Chinese equities for two years, Shikhar brings a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to his role as a research intern at the esteemed Institute of Chinese Studies. With a keen analytical mind and a passion for global economics, Shikhar is committed to making meaningful contributions to the institute's research endeavors.

Kanishk Rathore is a Research Intern at Institute of Chinese Studies. He is also a third year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) student at IIM Indore. He likes reading about International Relations and global security dynamics. Moreover, Kanishk follows the developments in China from a very long time, on an individual level. Apart from that, his hobbies are running, writing and reading. He is also a defence enthusiast. He is interested in topics like the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) in China, the slowdown of the property sector, and the emergence of China's civil and defence naval capabilities.