Research Interns

Ann Elza Varughese is a virtual Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, and is currently pursuing a diploma in Japanese language at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. She holds a Master’s in Political Science from University of Hyderabad and an Undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi. Her current research delves into the liminal existence of migrant care workers in Japan’s welfare regime, drawing connections between the legal-institutional dimensions and the cultural-symbolic narratives. Her research interests skew towards examining the interplay of the cultural, social and institutional dynamics of East Asia in general and Japan in particular. She also enjoys exploring questions of morality, identity and subjectivities alongside notions of precarity and belongingness. She is interested in languages and plans to learn other languages from the East Asian region as well.

Haritha Balakrishnan Alayil is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS). She is currently pursuing an M.A. in International Studies at the Symbiosis School of International Studies, Symbiosis International University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai. She is passionate about international political economy, technology, and regional security, focusing on how global trends shape governance, strategy, and development. She is particularly interested in China’s foreign policy and its strategic and diplomatic engagements in South Asia. Previously, she interned at the Vivekananda International Foundation, where she contributed to research on China’s domestic policies and regional dynamics. She is also learning Mandarin as part of her broader academic interest in China studies.

Amit Kumar is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS). He did his Master's from the Department of East Asian Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Delhi. He is passionate about the Political Economy of China and how it is shaping regional and international world order in parallel to the West. His other areas of interest include Internal political Dynamics of China and how its affecting policy making of China.

Aaquil Ahmed is a postgraduate student of Political Science and Economics. His academic interests lie at the intersection of political economy, climate change, and migration, with a particular focus on climate-induced mobility, governance frameworks, and inequality in South and East Asia. He has presented his research at national and international platforms, including the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, and has published on themes related to political economy, technology, and regional cooperation. His work aims to bridge academic research with policy-relevant insights on migration and development.

Jiyaa Soni is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies and a Master's student at O.P. Jindal Global University. Her research interests span Chinese foreign policy, South China Sea and maritime security, economic statecraft, and industrial policy. She is particularly interested in examining how economic instruments such as trade dependencies, industrial policy, and infrastructure investment shape and drive foreign policy decisions, and how states leverage economic power as a tool of geopolitical influence. Jiyaa is focused on understanding China's evolving role in reshaping regional order and its broader implications for India and the Indo-Pacific.

Udaya Roshan is a postgraduate researcher with an MSc in Global Development (Distinction) from SOAS, University of London, and a BA (Research) in International Relations from Shiv Nadar University. His work sits at the intersection of security, governance, and development, with a particular focus on how military strategy and institutional capacity shape regional and global power dynamics. His research engages with China’s strategic behaviour in the Indo-Pacific, alongside broader interests in international security, military strategy, and the security–development nexus. He is particularly interested in how classical strategic thought, including frameworks such as Sun Tzu’s Art of War, can inform the analysis of contemporary statecraft and military doctrine. He has developed experience in qualitative research, policy analysis, and structured academic writing through both his academic training and his work in a think tank environment, where he produced policy-relevant research on international security and global political economy. His work has engaged with a range of issues, including conflict dynamics, security sector reform, technology and governance, and humanitarian crises. His postgraduate dissertation examined the securitisation of international aid in Palestine, analysing how donor strategies and institutional practices are shaped by security logics and their implications for governance in conflict-affected contexts. At the same time, he remains keen to explore and engage with a wide range of interdisciplinary research areas.

Ms. Aarya R. P. Sardesai is a virtual research intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies. She is pursuing M.A. in International Relations & Peace Studies at the Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar. She completed her graduation from the University of Delhi. Prior to this, she has worked with India’s premier policy research think tank, NITI Aayog and National Human Rights Commission. Her most recent work titled, “From Himalayas to the Indian Ocean: Geography & India’s Global Outreach” reflected upon how India’s geography shapes its international engagements. As an aspiring international relations professional with a strong academic foundation in History and Political Science, she is experienced in research, diplomacy, and policy analysis. A published author, national essay awardee, and active organiser and moderator of high-profile academic and policy events, Aarya is a multilingual communicator with interests in diaspora diplomacy, foreign policy of China, India-China bilateral ties, and Indian Diaspora in PRC.

Rahul Sharma is currently pursuing his postgraduate studies in East Asian Studies from the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. He is also learning Mandarin as part of his academic training. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from DS College, Aligarh. His academic interests lie at the intersection of strategic affairs and emerging security challenges, with a particular focus on India–China relations, border security, and the impact of digital technologies on warfare and regional security dynamics.

Saumya Soni is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies and a doctoral candidate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, where her research focuses on China’s foreign policy, conflict management, and party-to-party diplomacy with Vietnam. She also aims to examine the role of historical memory in shaping the relationship between these two communist states. She also holds a Master’s in Politics with a specialisation in International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and an undergraduate degree in Political Science and English from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi.

Supradip Das has completed his Master’s in Chinese language and China Studies from the Department of Chinese Language and Culture (Cheena-
Bhavana), Visva-Bharati University. Recently he joined the ICS as a Virtual Research Intern. He also graduated from Cheena-Bhavana and pursued a one-year advanced training in the Chinese language from Beijing Language and Culture University China, under the bilateral scholarship program of MHRD, Govt. of India, and China Scholarship Council Govt. of PRC.

Khan Farah is a virtual Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi. She is pursuing her second Masters in MA China Studies from Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai and holds her first Masters in Chemistry from Mumbai University. For her thesis, she is working on “China’s Hydrogen Energy System” under the supervision of Saheli Chattaraj. Her interests include Environment regulation, Energy Security, Technologies associated with China’s energy development, Bilateral trade, China’s Market entry, Language and Culture.