Research Fellows
Aradhita Singh
Aradhita Singh is a Research Fellow at India Foundation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in
Sociology from the prestigious Hindu College, University of Delhi, and is currently pursuing a
postgraduate degree in Public Policy at O.P. Jindal Global University, Delhi NCR.
Prior to joining India Foundation, Ms. Singh served in the Office of the Hon'ble Vice President of
India, where she contributed to research, strategic communications, and parliamentary affairs.
In this capacity, she was associated with several high-level parliamentary engagements and
official delegations, both within India and abroad. As part of these engagements, she visited
countries including Brazil, Greece, Azerbaijan, and New Zealand, and interacted with a diverse
range of stakeholders, including policymakers, senior government officials, diplomats,
academics, journalists, and representatives of civil society.
Her professional experience spans policy research, institutional governance, public affairs, and
the implementation and assessment of national-level initiatives. Her research interests lie at the
intersection of national security, internal security, governance, and development, with a
particular focus on conflict-affected regions, counter-insurgency, and people-centric approaches
to policymaking.
Ms. Singh is a regular contributor to public policy and strategic discourse. Her articles,
commentaries, and expert analyses have been published in prominent media and policy
platforms, including Dainik Jagran, Zee News, The Pioneer, Dainik Swadesh, Firstpost, and
Chintan. Her work primarily examines issues relating to governance, national security, internal
security, and socio-political developments in contemporary India.
She has participated in consultations, policy discussions, and expert deliberations with
members of India's security establishment, academic institutions, and policy community on
subjects including Left-Wing Extremism, internal security, radicalisation, terrorism, and broader
national security challenges. Through her research and writing, she seeks to contribute to
evidence-based policymaking and informed public discourse on issues of strategic and national importance.
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.
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 holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi, and an M.A. and M.Phil. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. He completed his doctoral research at the Centre for West Asian Studies (CWAS), School of International Studies (SIS), JNU. Dr. Chaurasia qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET) in 2017 and was awarded the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Political Science by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2018. His research interests include International Relations, Indian Foreign Policy, West Asian geopolitics, energy security, the Indian Constitution, public policy, and Indian political thought.
An accomplished scholar, Dr. Chaurasia has published extensively in reputed academic journals and has served as a peer reviewer for several leading publications, including journals affiliated with King’s College London. He has delivered lectures at various academic institutions, including the University of Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, and Rishihood University. He was selected to present his research at the International Studies Association’s 67th Annual Convention in Ohio, USA, and has actively participated in international conferences across Russia, Egypt, Iran, and Mauritius. He has also served as Guest Faculty in Political Science at SPM College for Women, University of Delhi.
Dr. Chaurasia is a regular commentator on contemporary issues on national news platforms, including NDTV, Bharat Express, Punjab Kesari, and Bharat 24. His writings and expert opinions have appeared in leading publications such as The Indian Express, The Financial Express, The Quint, Dainik Jagran, Firstpost, ABP News, Organiser, Navbharat Times, and Swarajya. His expertise has also been cited by prominent international media outlets, including the South China Morning Post, Sputnik News, ISCA News Iran, and WION.
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.