Research Interns

Anushka Sisodia holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from University of Delhi and is currently pursuing Masters in Politics from the Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai. Her core research interests are Chinese diplomacy and the role of its soft power in shaping China’s narrative. She is specifically working on panda diplomacy. As a student of political science, she is also keenly interested in diplomatic ties between India and China from an economic perspective, diplomacy and geopolitics.

Gargi Chaturvedi is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, and a Doctoral Scholar at the Centre for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She holds a Master's degree in Chinese Language, Literature and Culture Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She has been a recipient of the Chinese Government Scholarship for undertaking a Chinese language training course at the Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing PRC, and was awarded the UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship to pursue her doctoral studies. Her research work aims at contextualising and defining Red Culture by taking memory, history, ideology as variables and looks through its manifestations, implications, relevance, consumption and reception in the New Era under Xi Jinping. Her research interests include Cultural Policy of the PRC under Xi Jinping, CPC's use of History, Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, and gender and migration issues in post-reform China. Besides that, she also enjoys teaching Chinese Language courses.

Hritika Patil is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS). She is pursuing an M.A. in International Studies at Symbiosis School of International Studies, Symbiosis International University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science.

She is passionate about geopolitics, geo-economics, technology, and gender studies. Her interest areas also include area studies emphasising the Indo-Pacific region, South Asia, China, and Latin America. She is keen on exploring the geo-economic dimensions of Chinese policies. In addition to her academic pursuits, Hritika is a dedicated language learner, currently studying Spanish and Mandarin.

Navneet Kumar holds a B.A. and an M.A. degree in Chinese from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He qualified for the UGC NET-JRF in Chinese language in December 2023. He is passionate about Chinese language, literature, science & technology, modernisation, and science fiction literature in contemporary China. His research focuses on examining the impact of Chinese modernisation on society, individual psychology, and socio-economic and political structures through the lens of contemporary Chinese science fiction literature.

Manikaran Singh is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi. He holds an M.A. in Politics with a specialisation in International Relations from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

He is passionate about various aspects of East Asian foreign affairs and policies, with a particular focus on Chinese national and international affairs. His interests delve into different spheres of politics in East Asia and the Indo-Pacific, China’s role in the global arena, and its policies and national endeavours towards achieving its goals. He is interested in furthering his knowledge and meaningfully contribute to the field.

Noel Mathew Cherian is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. (Hons.) in International Relations at the Capital Centre, Central University of Kerala. His academic interests lie in strategic and geopolitical studies, with a particular focus on India’s measures to counter China’s expanding influence in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indian Ocean region. Noel focuses on the economic conflicts and diplomatic engagements that shape the complex India-China dynamic. Through his academic work, he aims to explore how regional power plays and maritime strategy influence broader patterns in Indo-Pacific security and international diplomacy. He is a passionate MUNner and has enriched himself on the geopolitical affairs and developed his public speaking interest through these MUNs. He has a deep passion and commitment to research.

Atul B Shankar is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing his BA (Hons.) in International Relations at the Capital Centre, Central University of Kerala. He has a keen interest in Chinese language, culture, history and geopolitics. His research focuses on analyzing China’s projected demographic decline—stemming from decades of the stringent One Child Policy—and its implications for India, including potential strategic and economic opportunities. He is currently a research intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi.

Fathima Insha is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi, and a third-year degree student of B.A. (Hons.) in International Relations at the Central University of Kerala. Her interest lies in studying world history and geopolitics. She has a passion and deep commitment to research. In addition to her academic pursuits, Fathima is a dedicated language learner, currently studying French, Italian and Russian.

Nayanika Jha is a Research Intern at the Institute of China Studies (ICS), New Delhi. She is a fourth-year student at Shiv Nadar University, currently pursuing her B.A. (Research) in International Relations, with a minor in History. Her core research interests lie in geopolitical diplomacy, gender studies and Chinese policy. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is also a keen language learner, currently studying Mandarin.

Shresth is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies and a third-year Political Science student at the University of Delhi. While he holds a strong personal interest in photography, his academic focus is rooted in the study of international diplomacy and strategic affairs. His research explores the role of military power in shaping national and global dynamics, with particular attention to China’s growing influence in redefining global power structures. He is especially intrigued by China’s strategic outreach beyond the Asian region and its implications for the international order. Through his internship, Shresth aims to deepen his understanding of geopolitical shifts driven by diplomacy and defence policies.

Aman is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi. He is a student of Political Science honours with minor in English literature at University of Delhi and holds a diploma in French from St. Stephen’s college. He had the privilege of representing India as a delegate at the G20-Y20 event held in Chandigarh.

He has a keen interest in International relations and has completed a certificate programme in International Relations from St. Stephen’s College (SCAL). His research interests include Feminist perspectives in International Relations, China studies and geopolitics diplomacy. In addition to his academic pursuits, he enjoys reading novels and exploring the intersection of literature and international affairs in his research.

Pubali Sukriti is an undergraduate student of political science (Hons.) at Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi. She is an active member of the parliamentary debating circuit and has represented her institution at several inter-collegiate debates, focusing on issues of governance, human rights, and global politics. Her academic interests lie in international relations, with a particular focus on geopolitical dynamics in Asia. She is especially drawn to contemporary developments in China, including the Vibrant China initiative and the structural inequalities present at the grassroots level.

Sneha Chandran Sinha is a Research Intern at the Institute of China Studies (ICS), New Delhi. She is a fourth-year student at Shiv Nadar University pursuing a B.A. (Research) in English with a minor in Dance. Her core research interests lie in literature and media studies, especially in terms of the fantasy and magical realism genres and their potential to comment on socio-political aspects. Having lived in China and been a part of its culture, she is interested in recently released Chinese fantasy media, such as Ne Zha, which can act as a window into present-day Chinese society and politics. She is also passionate about creative writing and seeks to approach literary research with the aid of her base in creative expression. In addition, she has conducted oral history research in the field of dance, which continues to shape and refine her methodological approach. Through her research at the institute, she hopes to explore the manifestations as well as the implications of subversive media in China.

Mathew Thongminlal is a Research Intern at the Institute of Chinese Studies and a doctoral scholar at the Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He holds a master's degree in the Department of East Asian Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Edmund's College, Shillong, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).  His research interests include China's promotion of ethnic culture in Yunnan, cross-border ethnic groups' connections, borderlands studies, and China's policy towards Myanmar and ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.

Bharat Joshi is a fourth year Doctoral Candidate at the Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His area of interest is Chinese Foreign Policy towards India particularly the Conflict Resolution Mechanism between the two countries.

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.