Research Fellows
Aradhita Singh
Aradhita Singh is a Research Fellow at India Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Hindu College, University of Delhi, and is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Public Policy at O.P. Jindal Global University. Previously, she served in the Office of the Hon’ble Vice President of India, working across research, strategic communications, parliamentary affairs, and high-level engagements. She also participated in international delegations to Brazil, Greece, Azerbaijan, and New Zealand, engaging with policymakers, diplomats, academics, and civil society representatives.
Her research interests include national and internal security, governance, development, Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency, radicalisation, and terrorism, with a focus on conflict-affected regions and people-centric policymaking. She regularly contributes to public policy and strategic discourse through research and commentary. Her work has appeared in Dainik Jagran, Zee News, The Pioneer, Firstpost, Dainik Swadesh, and Chintan, alongside participation in policy consultations and expert deliberations.
Chitra Shekhawat
Chitra Shekhawat serves as a Research Fellow at the India Foundation, New Delhi, where she operates at the confluence of public policy, governance, economic development, and international relations. Her research focuses on development economics, geoeconomics, strategic affairs, and India's evolving global partnerships, with a specialised interest in India's neighbourhood and India - Japan relations.
At India Foundation, she has contributed to policy reports, issue briefs, and national & international dialogues, while coordinating high-level conferences and bilateral roundtables that engage policymakers, diplomats, scholars, and industry leaders. Furthermore, she has played an active role in organising national flagship initiatives and thematic policy dialogues on governance and strategic affairs.
Ms. Shekhawat holds a Master's degree in Economics from St. Xavier's College and has coauthored several research publications on public policy and economic development. Her work integrates rigorous policy research with strategic stakeholder engagement, aiming to translate analysis into actionable policy recommendations. Her articles, commentaries, and expert analyses have been published across prominent media and policy platforms.
Dnyanashri Kulkarni
Dnyanashri Kulkarni is a Research Fellow at India Foundation and a PhD candidate at the Jindal School of International Affairs, specializing in European Studies, with a research focus on the rise of conservatism and its impact on international relations. She has previously served as a Consultant at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), where she worked on initiatives in cultural diplomacy and global academic exchange. Dnyanashri holds a Bachelor’s degree in French Literature from the University of Mumbai and is DELF-certified from Alliance Française. A former Rotary International Youth Exchange Scholar, she spent a year in France, gaining immersive cross-cultural experience and language proficiency. Her academic and professional journey reflects a deep interest in the intersections of culture, ideology, and diplomacy, and she is committed to bridging policy research with meaningful global engagement.
Lalita Patel
Lalita is currently a Research Associate at India Foundation and is pursuing her PhD at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi, focusing her research on China. Previously, she worked as a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), where she was involved in several projects, including impact assessments of government schemes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and preparing case studies for the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). She is UGC-NET qualified and holds a DELF certification from Alliance Française de Delhi. She is also a Fellow at the Global Justice Program at Yale University. Her research interests include Chinese politics and governance, and broader issues relating to international relations and public policy.
Rajan Neema
Rajan Neema is a Researcher at India Foundation, New Delhi. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management from Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, and a Master’s degree in History from the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. He is UGC-NET qualified.
His areas of interest lie in Indian civilisational connect and international relations in the South Asian region, with a particular interest in historical linkages, cultural exchanges, and the evolution of India’s relations with its neighbouring countries. His research interests also encompass India’s civilisational engagement with the wider Indian Ocean region. He has previously written articles for newspapers on international relations and contemporary geopolitical issues.
Trishala Sancheti
Trishala is a Research Fellow at India Foundation. She holds an MSc in International Politics from SOAS, University of London, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from XLRI Jamshedpur (online). Her professional experience spans the mining, consulting, and waste management sectors.