Research Fellows
Arpan A. Chakravarty
Arpan A. Chakravarty is a Research Fellow at India Foundation. Currently, he is a Doctoral Scholar at the School of Law, Auro University, India. His research interest includes the interdisciplinary study of law, national security, and foreign affairs. His focus particularly lies in the South Asian neighbourhood. He is a lawyer by training, holding BA LLB (Hons) from Christ University, Bangalore, and LLM (Gold Medallist) from Auro University. In the past, he had the opportunity to serve at institutions that play a vital role in nation-building, such as Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar (An Institute of National Importance), and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in various capacities. Previously, he has been part of the prestigious Defence Correspondents Course (2022) by the Ministry of Defence, India, where he was invited from academia for his role as a Contributing Editor (National Security and Foreign Affairs) at The Pulse India. He has experience of interning with the Ministry of External Affairs, India; Observer Research Foundation (ORF); Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS); and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), among others.
Chitra Shekhawat
Chitra Shekhawat is currently working as a Research Fellow at India Foundation. She completed her Masters and B. A Honours in Economics from St. Xavier's College, Jaipur where she was elected as a Cultural Secretary of the Student Council. Her area of interest lies in the fields of development economics, good governance, public policy and advocacy.
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.
Lakshmi Ananya Yedavalli
Lakshmi Ananya Yedavalli has joined India Foundation as a Research Fellow, bringing a strong foundation in development economics and policy research. She holds an MSc in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her areas of interest include sustainable development and policy analysis. Her expertise spans regional development, inclusive growth, and the dynamics between globalisation and local economies. Ananya is passionate about conducting impactful research that promotes sustainable growth and social well-being.
Muskan Chhabra
Muskan Chhabra has joined India Foundation as a Research Fellow. Her expertise spans sustainability, public policy and urban governance, with a particular focus on waste management, urban development, and social and economic policy. Muskan holds a Bachelor's degree in Sustainable Urbanism and a Master's degree in Urban Studies from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi.
Parth Seth
Parth Seth is a research fellow at the India Foundation. His interest lies in the themes of multilateralism, development, middle powers, and great power competition. He focuses on South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Chinese foreign policy. While interning at several think tanks, he has assisted researchers in the domains of strategic studies, public policy, and international development. He has written for websites and journals on the themes of South Asia, China, MENA, and the intersection of political philosophy and policy. He completed his postgraduate studies in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and holds an undergraduate degree in political science from the Ramjas College of the University of Delhi.
Pavan Chaurasia
Dr. Pavan Chaurasia is a Research Fellow at India Foundation, New Delhi. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi, followed by an M.A. and M.Phil. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His doctoral research, completed at JNU’s Centre for West Asian Studies (CWAS) in the School of International Studies (SIS), focused on themes like democratisation, human rights and freedom of expression in Turkey. Dr. Chaurasia qualified for the National Eligibility Test (NET) in 2017 and was awarded the prestigious Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Political Science by the University Grants Commission (UGC) from 2018 to 2023. His research expertise encompasses International Relations, Indian Foreign Policy, West Asian Geopolitics, Energy Security, Indian Constitutional Law, Public Policy, and Indian Political Thought. An accomplished academic, Dr. Chaurasia has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals of high repute and is a regular speaker at national and international fora. He has participated in global conferences, including a trilateral dialogue on the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in Russia. He has also served as Guest Faculty in Political Science at the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB), Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, University of Delhi, and is frequently invited to judge debates and deliver lectures at leading Indian universities. Dr. Chaurasia’s insights feature regularly in prominent publications, including The Indian Express, The Financial Express, The Quint, Dainik Jagran, ABP News, and Swarajya. His expertise has been cited by international media outlets such as the South China Morning Post and WION, underscoring his continous participation in global policy discourse.
Trishala Sancheti
Trishala holds an MSc in International Politics from SOAS, University of London, and a BA in History from the University of Toronto. She is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from XLRI Jamshedpur (online). With professional experience in consulting, waste management, and mining projects. Her research interests include state-building, infrastructure development, connectivity, and energy, with a particular focus on Northeast India, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Yashawardhana
Yashawardhana is a Research Fellow at India Foundation, focusing on policy research, legal analysis, and technology governance. A graduate of Jindal Global Law School with a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), his work spans research on employment trends, international conference coordination, and publications on AI, law, and public policy. His experience includes stakeholder engagement, business model design, and legal research with institutions such as Parliament of India, Supreme Court of India and multiple High Courts.