Administraion & Research Division
- Govind NelikaGovind Nelika is a Researcher, Web Manager, and Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), working on national security issues at the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, and geopolitics. His research focuses on hybrid warfare, digital influence operations, semiconductor geopolitics, AI-enabled conflict, and cyber governance, with publications covering topics such as U.S.–China tech rivalry, the Quad’s cyber dynamics, and emerging risks in AI and supply chains. He previously worked at Pondicherry University under the UGC-SAP (DRS II) programme in the Department of Politics & International Studies, progressing from Project Fellow to Project Associate. He holds a degree in Political Science and a Data Science certification from IBM. Earlier in his career, he gained research and digital management experience with the Regional Centre of Expertise, Trivandrum (affiliated with the United Nations University), and the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPRD), Ministry of Home Affairs where he conducted research on cybercrime trends in India. He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Card on Army Day 2025 for his contributions to CLAWS. He can be reached at [email protected]
- Shreya Das BarmanShreya Das Barman is the Publication Manager at CLAWS; she holds a Post Graduate Degree in East Asian Studies focussing particularly on India-China-Taiwan Relations. Her area of interests includes India-Taiwan relations and Taiwan’s defence preparedness. She also does freelance Emceeing and have received Vice Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card (Indian Army) {January 2022}, and Director CLAWS Certificate of Appreciation for Exemplary Performance (November 2020)
Associate Fellow
- Ashu MaanAshu Maan is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. He was awarded the VCOAS Commendation card on Army Day 2025. He is currently pursuing his PhD from Amity University, Noida in Defence and Strategic Studies. He has previously worked with Institute of Chinese Studies. He has also contributed a chapter on “Denuclearization of North Korea” in the book titled Drifts and Dynamics: Russia’s Ukraine War and Northeast Asia. His research includes India-China territorial dispute, the Great Power Rivalry between the United States and China, and China’s Foreign Policy.
Research Assistant
- Akashika MateAkashika Mate is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) with a focus on strategic and security issues concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan. She recently earned her Master’s in International Relations from King’s College London, where her research explored themes of conflict, diplomacy, and resistance. Her areas of interests include South Asian geopolitics, foreign policy analysis, and gender in conflict. You can reach out to her at [email protected].
- Anjali ManhasAnjali Manhas is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. She holds a Master’s in Defence and Strategic Studies from Rashtriya Raksha University. Her research area focuses on Bangladesh’s security dynamics and regional strategy, contributing to policy insights for regional stability. You can reach out to her at - [email protected]
- Nomita ChandolaNomita Chandola is a dedicated scholar in International Relations, with a strong academic foundation and a passion for understanding complex global issues. She recently earned her master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Leeds, where she focused on modules such as global governance and climate security. Prior to this, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics from Kamla Nehru College, University of Delhi. Currently, Nomita is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, where she delves into critical issues of strategic affairs and geopolitical dynamics. Her primary area of interest lies in South Asian studies, emphasizing security dynamics and their intersections with global politics. She aspires to pursue a PhD to further explore these themes. With a keen eye for policy analysis and research, Nomita aims to contribute meaningfully to the academic and policy discourse on international security and regional stability.
- Tanya NagarTanya Nagar is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Her work explores issues of climate security and development, with a focus on strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) frameworks. Her work also engages with information governance. You can reach her at [email protected]
Research Intern
Former CLAWS Faculty
- Abhilash KolekarA research professional with a PhD in International Relations from JNU, New Delhi, and over three years of experience at policy think tanks including TERI and CLAWS. Possesses multi domain expertise in global politics, security studies, climate governance, and multilateral institutions. Skilled in qualitative research, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and event coordination. Published across recognised platforms, with experience in public talks and coordination of high-level stakeholder engagements such as the Chanakya Defence Dialogue and the World Sustainable Development Summit.
- Aishwarya AiryAishwarya Airy is a Research Assistant at Centre for Land Warfare Studies focusing on West Asia. You can reach her at [email protected].
- Ameya KelkarAmeya Kelkar is career researcher passionate about the domain of Climate Change, and its impact on India’s security and development apparatus. A postgraduate in Defence and Strategic Studies from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune, his interests focus on climate change and non-traditional security.
- Anusua GangulyAnusua Ganguly is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), where her work focuses on Russia and Central Asia. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Peace Building, and her research interests include non-traditional security threats, the role of media in conflict, and the intersection of gender with conflict and peacebuilding. You can reach out to her at [email protected].
- Dokku Nagamalleswara RaoDokku Nagamalleswara Rao was as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). Rao's research primarily focuses on China, East Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Rao pursued his doctoral studies at Shandong University, P.R. China, specialising in the influence of ancient Chinese strategic culture on its approaches to international security. Prior to joining CLAWS, he obtained an M.Phil. in Chinese Studies from the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and holds a Master’s degree in Politics and International Relations from the Department of Politics and International Studies (DPIS), Pondicherry University.
- Dr. Manjari SinghDr. Manjari Singh focuses on contemporary West Asian/Middle East affairs. She serves as the core member, Greater West Asia Forum initiated in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel in India. She is the author of India and the Gulf: A Security Perspective (Routledge) and an Associate Editor of the Journal of World Affairs: Voice of the Global South (Sage Publications). She participated in the Track 1.5 dialogue on the first multi-stakeholder closed door talks on IMEC held in November 2024 in Abu Dhabi. Previously, she taught at Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University and served as an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies.
- Dr Shushant VC ParasharDr. Shushant VC Parashar is an Assistant Professor of Geopolitics and International Relations at the Manipal Institute of Social Sciences, MAHE, Manipal. He holds a PhD in Political Science and an MPhil in South and Southeast Asian Studies, with research interests spanning international relations theory, Indo-Pacific geopolitics, India’s foreign policy, and non-traditional security. Previously, he has served as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies and as an Associate Fellow at the National Maritime Foundation. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and leading policy platforms with a focus on maritime strategy, critical minerals, climate security, and emerging technologies.
- Yuvvraj SinghYuvvraj Singh is a Research Assistant at Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), focusing his research on the USA and its implications on the Global South. He holds a Master's and Bahcelor's in Political Science (with specialisation in International Relations) from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. He has previously worked at ORF, NITI Aayog, and Ministry of External Affairs (ICWA), researching on a range of topics concerning the Global South, Conflict, Maritime Security, and Sustainability. His research has also been published at several national and international fora like The Diplomat, RT, Indian Council of World Affairs, among others. He can be reached at [email protected].
