Past Interns

Kashish Tomer has completed her M.A. from the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Delhi. Her core research interests are the Chinese economy and the interplay of geopolitical factors in shaping the ever-changing contours of the global economy. As a former literature student, she is also keenly interested in the literary and cultural ties between India and East Asian nations. She possesses a strong passion for linguistics and is currently engaged in the study of Japanese and Chinese languages.

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.

Ashutosh Vashishtha graduated from Delhi University's Dyal Singh College with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Science. Additionally, he has a certification in Chinese language proficiency from Ramjas College's SFIL and a diploma in international relations and diplomacy from IIGL. He has completed certificate programs in the following areas: thinking and working politically (UNICEF), leadership for planning and decision-making with adolescents (UNICEF), circular economy from ADB (Asian Development Bank), and moral foundations of politics (Yale University).

Poornima holds a Bachelor's in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi and a Master's in East Asian Studies from the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. She is the recipient of the Mitsubishi Corporation India Scholarship and was also awarded the Japan Foundation Fellowship for Aspiring Scholars in Japanese Studies 2023-24. Poornima is interested in studying the intersections of disease, environment and nation building in modern Japan. At ICS, her research focuses on post-war restructuring of public health and disease control in US Occupied Japan from 1945-52. Poornima speaks English, Malayalam, Hindi and Japanese.

Megha Kumari is currently pursuing Masters in International Relations and Area Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She is also a research intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies. She completed her BA in Political Science (Hons.) from University of Delhi. Her interests lie in exploring historical vantage points to examine the current geopolitical changes. She is interested in science and technology, gender, and China's foreign policy. Her quest for understanding China is motivated by China's rise in the existing international order.

Hoimontick Gogoi is a research intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Geopolitics and International Relations from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka. He has completed his Bachelors from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi. His research area lies in understanding the Trans-Himalayan Region, with an emphasis on the dimension of China, India and Nepal relations. He is keen to further develop more interest on the issues faced by other countries surrounding the Himalayas (Bhutan and Myanmar).

Rahul Bansod is a research intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies. He has recently completed his Master's in Politics with a Specialization in International Studies (PISM) from the School of International Studies (SIS), JNU, New Delhi. He holds keen interests in areas ranging from the Political Economy of China, Great Power Transition, Aesthetics in International Politics, Critical Theory, Populism in International Relations, Emotions, Decoloniality, and Indian Politics. With the rise of China, he is interested in examining the impact of great power transition on aesthetic mediums like cinema and sports, as China is heavily investing in these areas. Besides academics, he finds solace in reading poetry and non-fiction, watching world cinema, and tuning into Ghulam Ali Saab's ghazals. With a strong academic background and a commitment to rigorous research, Rahul aims to contribute to the field of academia.

Chinmai R. Rahangdale is a research intern at ICS. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in East Asian Studies, specializing in Chinese Studies at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. She holds a Master’s degree in East Asian Studies. She has successfully passed UGC-NET in Chinese language.

Her research interests encompass various aspects of Chinese society, culture, ethnic minorities, and contemporary nationalism. She aims to gain an understanding of Chinese society and contribute to Chinese Studies by leveraging her language skills and research capabilities. Additionally, she takes a great interest in teaching the Chinese language and has experience in teaching Mandarin at the University of Mumbai.

Rahul Kheswa is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, and a recent Postgraduate from the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. He is currently enrolled in a Postgraduate Chinese Language Diploma at the University of Delhi. He has also qualified UGC-NET in International Relations and Area Studies. He has previously interned with the Organisation for Research on China and Asia. His research interests include Chinese Modernity, Military History and Strategic Culture. At ICS, his research focuses on the Chinese Intervention in the Korean War from the vantage point of Chinese Strategic Culture.

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.

Ritika Sharon completed her undergraduate degree from St. Stephen's College, DU in Political Science and History. She holds a Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She is also pursuing a Diploma in Chinese Language from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

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.