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 currently working as a Research Fellow at India Foundation in New Delhi with an interest in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific and India's Neighbourhood. She is currently pursuing PhD from Jindal School of International Affairs. She has pursued her bachelors in French Literature from Mumbai University and has completed her post-graduation in International Relations.
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
Pavan Chaurasia is a Research Fellow at India Foundation. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Delhi University and furthered his education with a postgraduate degree and M.Phil. from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. He obtained his PhD from the School of International Relations (SIS) at JNU. He cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) in 2017 and was awarded the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) by the University Grants Commission (UGC) from 2018 to 2023. His expertise lies in the fields of International Relations, India's Foreign Policy, Indian Constitution and Public Policy, and Indian Political Thought.
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 dedicated legal professional with extensive experience in research, policy analysis, and legal writing. Currently serving as a Research Fellow at India Foundation, he has interned with prominent institutions including the Supreme Court of India, multiple High Courts across India, and the office of a Member of Parliament. Yashawardhana holds a BA LLB from Jindal Global Law School. He has also completed a Winter School in Public Policy Analysis at TISS, Hyderabad. His academic interests extend to tech law, international law and governance, highlighted by his writings for multiple forums. His skills include legal research, policy writing, and leadership, with a passion for law and governance.