Junior Research Affiliates

Athira Mary Mathew is a Junior Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), where she manages events. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in law, with a strong passion for public international law. Her research interests lie at the intersection of East Asian studies and international law, focusing on regional security, the role of international institutions, and the impact of great power dynamics on the development and application of international legal norms.

Rituraj Mal Deka is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS, where he currently coordinates the Centre’s publication wing. He is pursuing his law studies and has a keen interest in East Asian studies, particularly in enhancing connectivity between India’s Northeastern region and its bordering areas. His research emphasizes India’s Look East Policy and its implications for regional development. 

Diya Parthasarathy is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS, currently pursuing a Bachelor's in History and Political Science Honours with Economics. She is an Editor and Proofreader for research. Her Research interests include Ancient and Medieval History of the Indian Subcontinent and how to improving the Indo-Pacific monitor. She is currently researching on the Impact of the Cholas Overseas and the History of Bharatnatyam. 

HM Greeshma is a  Junior Research Affiliate at  the CEAS. Currently, she is working on an industry connect project, assisting in building and   strengthening ties between CEAS and relevant industry stakeholders. She is  currently pursuing a degree in History and Political Science, with a minor in Economics, at Christ University. She is keen on deepening her knowledge in diplomacy, international relations, and research. Her primary research interests lie in East  Asian geopolitics,  international law in the Indo-Pacific region, and sustainability in global governance. She is currently researching Cross-Border Cooperation in Renewable Energy Transitions Across the Indo-Pacific Region.

Chirag Jain is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS. He is currently pursuing his bachelors in arts with History and Political Science as Majors and Economics as a minor. His research interests include national security, domestic and international defense policies, and the ethnic groups of India, particularly the Gorkhas and North-East tribes. Additionally, Chirag is keen on studying terrorism in India, focusing on groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Varsha S is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS. She is pursuing her Bachelor's in Arts with  Economics and Sociology, with research interests in gender studies, economic sociology, and the intersection of religion and social structures.

Nischay M K is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS. He is currently coordinating the CEAS Application and the USICC website. Nischay is pursuing his Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering, with research interests in Defence Technology, Military History, and Terrorism. 

Adithyan S is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS and a third-year law student at Christ University, Bangalore. With a deep passion for international affairs and relations, he actively contributes to the Centre's Industry Connect Programme, fostering academic-industry engagement. Adithyan has previously served as a core committee member of the SDG Cell at the School of Law and was a Peer Educator at the University, reflecting his commitment to leadership and student welfare.

Alvin S Sebastian is a Junior Research Affiliate at the CEAS. He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in History and Political Science, with Economics as a minor, at Christ University, Bangalore. He is currently researching on the Portuguese influence on the spread of Catholicism along the Coromandel Coast, with broader interests in Southeast Asian history, particularly the historical evolution and postcolonial transitions of Japan and Thailand. He is keen on uncovering lesser-known narratives and understanding the global links in historical processes.

Anushka S is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS. She is currently pursuing her B.A. (Hons.) Political Science student at the Jindal School of International Affairs. Her research interests include public policy, comparative and domestic politics, and the politics of religion.

Varsha Das is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS. Varsha is pursuing her Bachelors in International Relations from Amity Institute of International Studies. Her research interests include Human Rights, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Diplomacy.

Shivang Mehadudia is a Junior Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies and a fourth-year BBA LLB (Hons.) student at Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. He has previously interned with a seed money project under the Centre for Research on Climate Migration, where he contributed to research examining the legal and policy dimensions of climate-induced displacement. His academic interests lie primarily in public international law and environmental law, with a particular focus on the intersection of global governance, sustainability, and human rights. Beyond academia, he is keen on building meaningful connections with industries and institutions working at the interface of law, policy, and sustainable development, with the aim of translating research insights into practical, real-world applications.

Anna Maria William is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS, currently managing the CEAS Director’s Office. She is pursuing an undergraduate degree in law with passion for international law. Her research interests include China’s nuclear strategy- particularly its declared policy of no first use and minimum deterrence, participation in the NPT and CTBT regimes, export controls, and nuclear security capacity-building through IAEA collaborations.

Shree Vardhani is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies. Currently, she is a postgraduate student in International Studies at Christ University. She is interested in India’s foreign policy and, specifically, India-China relations. She has taken up the research work on ‘Public Diplomacy of India’, focusing on the changing dynamics of diplomacy and the strategies adopted for the advocacy and exchanges of ideas, culture, and information. 

Deepa S is currently a research affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies and is pursuing an undergraduate degree in International Studies, Political Science, and History, with a minor in Economics at Christ Deemed to be University. She is dedicated to broadening her knowledge in global spheres, particularly in geopolitics. She aims to integrate diverse perspectives and ideas beyond theoretical frameworks, delving deeply into various aspects of international relations. Her research focuses on India's perspective while examining Asian economies, providing a solid foundation for her aspirations as a diplomat or civil servant. She is particularly interested in the Belt and Road Initiative in the Western Balkans, analyzing the strategic implications of Chinese investments in Serbia and other facets of international affairs.

Yash Kumar is a Junior Research Associate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS). He is currently an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology with a minor in Political Science at Christ University, Bangalore. His research interests include Conflict Studies, Strategic Studies, International Trade, Foreign Policy, and Diplomacy. He is presently working on a research project titled “Nuclear Arms and Doctrines: A Comparative Study of India and China,” which aims to analyze India’s deterrent capabilities in the context of the growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. 

Pavani Swetha Vallem is a Junior Research Affiliate at CEAS. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's in Arts with History and Political Science as Majors and Economics as a Minors at CHRIST (deemed to be) University, Bengaluru. Her interests lie in Public Policy, Administration, International Relations, Security Studies, Diplomacy, Strategic Dimensions of the Indo-Pacific Region. She loves engaging in meaningful conversations that bridge diverse perspectives. 

Pijush Das is a Junior Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), Christ University. He undertakes administrative and research tasks assigned by the Centre and works under the mentorship system, participating in regular review meetings. Concurrently, Pijush is enrolled in the final year of his B.A. in History & Political Science at Christ University and is actively engaged in CEAS’s activities. His research interests focus on the impact of colonial legacy on inter-ethnic relations in Myanmar, examining how historical colonial policies continue to influence contemporary ethnic dynamics and conflicts in the region. He is also conducting comprehensive research on Theravada Buddhist nations and their socio-political evolution.

Christa Joy is a Junior Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), where she oversees the documentation and contributes to the academic initiatives of the Centre. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in International Studies. Her academic and research interests include the Indo-Pacific, foreign policy analysis, international political economy, security studies, and regionalism in Asia. 

Manya JP is a Junior Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. Her areas of interest include international relations, sustainable development, and defence studies. 

Harishraddha P is a Research Affiliate and Editor for Perspectives at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS). In this capacity, she contributes to the Centre’s research activities and oversees editorial responsibilities for the Centre’s publication. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in International Studies at Christ University, where her academic focus lies in international relations, Indian foreign policy and regional studies. Her present research examines cross-border communication in South Asia, with an emphasis on the intersections of cultural exchange, connectivity, and regional cooperation. Her broader areas of interest include South East Asia and South Asia, particularly in relation to transnational interactions, communication flows, regional integration, foreign policy and global political economy.

Shilpa R Patil is a Research Affiliate at Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), Christ University. She is currently pursuing her postgraduate Degree in International Finance at Christ University.  She is keenly interested in “Border Diplomacy and Conflict Management in INDIA –CHINA Relations”, with a focus on the evolving dynamic of territorial disputes and the strategies adopted to manage tensions along the Line of Control (LOC). Her interest future extends to understanding how strategic rivalry coexists with economic interdependence, shaping one of the most complex and significant bilateral relationships in the world today. 

Suriyaprakash is currently a research affiliate at Centre for East Asian Studies at Christ Deemed to be University. He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in International Studies Political Science and History with a minor in Economics. He is highly interested in exploring areas related to Defence,   Military Studies, Geopolitics, Diplomacy and World Economics. His interest in research is on examining China's investment in Africa and its implications for the changing world order and global economies. 

Christelle Maria Carneiro Alphonso is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies. Currently, she is pursuing her Postgraduate Degree in International Studies at Christ University. Her passion includes exploring the relations within the global order, while emphasizing on the relevance of the United Nations in the 21st century. Her research interest focuses on the various dimensions of the East Asian and European countries in shaping International Affairs. 

Sakshi Yadav is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS) and a Master’s student in International Studies at Christ University. Her research interest lies in understanding the impact of China’s green financing initiatives in Southeast Asia from the lens of Climate Colonialism, with a broader interest in issues of globalization, climate diplomacy, soft power diplomacy and political economy. 

Ankita Dey is a postgraduate student in International Studies at Christ University.  She is also a Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies. She is interested in conflict studies & global political culture with a primary focus on eastern and central Asia. She has taken up the research work on ‘The Speed of Revolution’, focusing on the strategies, methodologies and the evolving force of rebellion against a regime. 

Mudit Aggarwal is a Junior Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), where he is involved in Media and Event Management tasks. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Journalism from CHRIST (Deemed to be University) Bannerghatta Road Campus. His research interests lie in foreign policy analysis, culture, international trade and administration.

Parvathy ES is a junior research affiliate at CEAS. She is currently a first year law student, pursuing BALLB from Christ (deemed to be) university. She is passionate about international relations and is currently focusing on the diplomatic ties between India and other East Asian countries through the treaties, Mou’s, and agreements signed between them and India . 

Shakeez Ayubee is presently a Junior Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies and also enrolled as a Masters student of International Studies at Christ University. He completed his undergraduate in Political Science and Communicative English from St. Joseph’s University. Shakeez is currently engaged in the study of financing of separatist militant groups in the North-Eastern states of India, particularly Assam. His interests also include study of trade and conflict in EU states and in South America, particularly Argentina and Colombia. He likes to bring his background in the study of political philosophy and journalism into better understanding current transnational conflicts.

Rishabh Nalte is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS). He is currently pursuing a Master's in Arts in International Studies, where his academic focus lies in international affairs and Indian foreign policy. He completed his undergraduate degree in Bachelor's in Business Administration from Christ University ( Bannerghatta campus) and also has five years of corporate work experience behind him. His present research examines and studies Indian coastal security and its challenges. His broader areas of interest include maritime and military affairs, particularly in relation to their historical evolution and future.

Sruthi Subramanian is a junior research affiliate at CEAS at Christ (Deemed to be University). She is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in History, Political Science and Economics. She is keen on deepening her knowledge in international relations, diplomacy and languages. Her research interests lie in studying historical relations, political structures and the role of East Asian nations at the global level. She also enjoys engaging in discussions regarding any matter and learning new languages.