OFFICIATING DIRECTOR:

Dr. Manish Kumar
Director, Centre for Vietnam Studies
Email: [email protected]

After his Bachelor's degree from Hindu College in University of Delhi, he completed Master's in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He has also Master's Degree in Journalism and Mass Media and is currently teaching at Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi...

ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

Mahendra P. Lama
Professor in Centre for South Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Email: [email protected]

Prof. Mahendra P Lama, a noted development economist, is a Professor of South Asian Economies in the School of International Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Prof Lama is also the Founding Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Sikkim. He has been nominated by the Government of India as its representative in the Eminent Persons Group set up by Prime Ministers of India and Nepal. He was High End Expert in the Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University, Chengdu in China from 2016-2018. He also served as the Chief Economic Adviser in the Government of Sikkim with a Cabinet Minister Rank for seven years (2000-2007). He was the Pro Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi and a member of the National Security Advisory Board of Government of India. Prof. Lama has been nominated by the Ministry of External Affairs as a Member of the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Studies Centre in North Eastern Hill University, Shillong and also as a member of the Steering Committee of the South Asian Forum set up by the Heads of the States and Governments in the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu in 2010. He was assigned the task of reviewing the functioning of SAARC by Asian Development Bank and SACEPS since its very inception in 2008. He was a Fellow in Tsukuba University, Japan; Nehru-Fulbright Education Administrator's Fellow; India-China Fellow at the New School University; Visitor to the European Union; and Ford Foundation Fellow at Notre Dame University. Along with these, he has been associated with several national and international forums.

Pham Sanh Chau
Former Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India
Email: [email protected]

H. E. Pham Sanh Chau was the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India. Prior to this he was Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam; Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Vietnam on issues of UNESCO; Vietnam's representative in the Executive Board of UNESCO; Secretary-General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and Director-General of the Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2011, Pham Sanh Chau was appointed as Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the European Commission, where he played an instrumental role in negotiations between the European Union and Viet Nam to develop the EU-VietNam Free Trade Agreement and followed the EU-Vietnam Dialogue on Human Rights. He has received numerous state distinctions including the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown from the Kingdom of Belgium and the Ordre des Palmes Academiques from the Government of France in recognition of his distinguished career of public service. Currently he is the Asia CEO of Vinfast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer.

Rajiv Bhatia
Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House, Mumbai
Email: [email protected]

Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia is a Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies Programme at Gateway House. As Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs from 2012-15, he played a key role in strengthening India's Track-II research and outreach activities. During a 37-year innings in the Indian Foreign Service, he served as Ambassador to Myanmar and Mexico and as High Commissioner to Kenya and South Africa. He dealt with a part of South Asia, while posted as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. A prolific columnist, he also delivers lectures on foreign policy issues in India and abroad. He was Senior Visiting Research Fellow during 2011-13 at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. He holds a Masters degree in Political Science from Allahabad University. His book India Myanmar Relations: Changing contours (Routledge) has received critical acclaim.

Shekhar Sinha
Former Vice Admiral and Strategic Analyst
Email: [email protected]

Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha is a Naval Aviator from the fighter stream and has flown from all the three aircraft carriers Indian Navy has had. In four decades of his service he has held Command of four warships including a guided missile destroyer, two fighter squadrons, a naval air station and the Western Naval Fleet. He was Navy's Air Boss. As a Vice Admiral he has been in the Personnel Branch and Deputy Chief of Joint Staff responsible for Operations, Perspective Plan and Defence Acquisition. He was Chief of Integrated Defence Staff where he was member of Defence Acquisition Council and jointly steered the MoD policy of defence offsets which would grow into Make in India. Later, as Commander in Chief of Western Naval Command he was responsible for Maritime security of India's Western Seaboard. He has earned two gallantry awards. He is an alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, College of Naval Warfare and the National Defence College. He represented India on number of bilateral delegations. He has also been Officer in Tactical Command in number of Naval Joint Exercises with friendly countries. He is a Trustee of India Foundation and on the governing council of United Services Institution. He is a strategic analyst and writes frequently.

Srikanth Kondapalli
Professor in Chinese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Email: [email protected]

Prof. Srikanth Kondapalli, an expert in Chinese studies in India is Professor in Chinese Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. He learnt Chinese language at Beijing Language & Culture University and was a post-Doctoral Visiting Fellow at People's University, Beijing from 1996-98. He was a Visiting Professor at National Chengchi University, Taipei in 2004, a Visiting Fellow at China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Beijing in May 2007, an Honorary Professor at Shandong University, Jinan in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016; at Jilin University, Changchun in 2014 and at Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming in 2016, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at People's University since 2014 and a Fellow at Salzburg Global Seminar in 2010. He wrote two books (China's Military: The PLA in Transition in 1999 & China's Naval Power in 2001), two monographs, co-edited four volumes (Asian Security & China in 2004; China and its Neighbours in 2010; China's Military and India in 2012 and China and the BRICS: Setting up a Different Kitchen in 2016) and a number of articles in journals and edited volumes - all on China. He received the K. Subramanyam Award in 2010 for Excellence in Research in Strategic and Security Studies.

Ton Sinh Thanh
Former Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India
Email: [email protected]

H.E. Ton Sinh Thanh is the former Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India, Nepal and Bhutan since 2014. From 2011-14, he was Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka. As a career diplomat, he has served at various positions at Diplomatic Academy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam. He was also posted at Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore and Deputy Chief of Mission in India. He has served for two terms as Ambassador to India during 2004-2007 and 2014-2018 holding concurrent office of Ambassador to Nepal and Bhutan as well. It was during this period that Vietnam was the coordinating country of India-ASEAN relations (2015-18). It is noteworthy that during his Office relations between India and Vietnam was upgraded from 'Strategic Partnership' to 'Comprehensive Partnership' in 2016. He has also coordinated several high level delegations of the leaders of two countries during his tenure. His Excellency has Masters Degree in International Relations from Carleton University, Canada and PhD from School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Sonu Trivedi
Department of Political Science, Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Sonu Trivedi has been teaching Political Science in Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi since 2006. She is also a Distinguished Fellow at the India Foundation, New Delhi. She was the Founder Director of Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi and recipient of 'Medal of Friendship' conferred by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2021 and Award from Embassy of Vietnam, New Delhi for her contributions in promoting relations between India and Vietnam in 2018. She has several publications to her credit and has also co-edited a book titled 'Emerging Horizons in India-Vietnam Relations.'

Ho Chi Minh Chair Professor:

Prof. Reena Marwah
Ho Chi Minh Chair Professor, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Prof. Reena Marwah, former Professor at Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, holds a Ph.D. in International Business and serves as Secretary General of the Association of Asia Scholars, India. A recipient of the World Bank's McNamara Fellowship (1999-2000) and Asian Scholarship Foundation's Asia Fellowship (2002-03), ICSSR Senior Fellowship (2017-19) she is Founding Editor of Millennial Asia, a SCOPUS-indexed journal published by SAGE. She has been a Short-term Consultant of The World Bank, UN Women and was on deputation as Senior Academic Consultant with ICSSR (2012-15). With 25 authored/ edited books plus numerous research articles, her expertise focuses on Southeast Asian international relations and economic development issues. Her recent books include: India-Vietnam Relations: Development Dynamics and Strategic Alignment, (2022) published by Springer Nature, India-Philippines Relations: Intersecting Interests, Shared Vision and Way Forward, KW and Routledge, U.K. (2025), Waiting Games: The Politics of Patience in Indo-Pacific Strategy, (Editors) Chih-yu Shih, Reena Marwah, KW and Routledge (2026). Currently, she is holding the Ho Chi Minh Chair Professor at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi.

Honorary Chair Professor:

Prof. Faisal Ahmed
Honorary Chair Professor, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Prof. Faisal Ahmed, a Honorary Chair Professor at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is a Professor of International Business at the FORE School of Management, New Delhi. His research and consulting interests include China and Indo-Pacific affairs, India-Vietnam relations, trade and geopolitics, mega-regional trade agreements, and climate change. He holds doctorate degree from India in the areas of international trade, and an executive certification in geopolitical analysis from Switzerland. Prof Ahmed has worked as a consultant on projects supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; United Nations ESCWA; the ASEAN Secretariat; and other organisations. He is frequently invited by global think-tanks and institutions as a speaker and resource person. Prof. Ahmed has also been member of various Track II delegations on India-China Relations. In June 2026, he has been listed in Forbes India among the "Trendsetters of the New Era" for his work on geopolitics. Also, he has been listed among the "Top 8 Emerging Indian Personalities" in India Today magazine in its May 8, 2023 issue. His latest book is "India's Geopolitical Gravity: The 21st Century Gamechanger", Springer Nature Switzerland AG, August 2025. His papers have appeared in refereed international journals indexed in ABDC, ABS, Scopus and Web of Science. He has also published three monographs on themes of grassroots reachout of India's foreign trade policy, India's experiences in PTAs, and, EEZ and the UN Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). Prof Ahmed's articles have also been published in leading newspapers such as The Korea Times, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, The Times of India, The Hindu Business Line, The Economic Times, and, The Financial Express, among others. He has been interviewed and quoted as a trade and geopolitical expert by national and international media including Doordarshan, Rajya Sabha TV, ANI, BBC Hindi, Russia Today-RT, Al-Jazeera, and the Vietnam TV, among others.

Non-Resident Fellow:

Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga
Non-Resident Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is Deputy Editor-in-chief of Social Sciences Information Review, Institute of Social Sciences Information (ISSI), Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS). She has been convener and presenter at many international conferences in Vietnam, India, Thailand, Australia, The Philippines, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia... Some of her recent published books include: India's Relations with some Regional Countries and Implications for Vietnam (Social Science Publishing House, Hanoi, 2020); Indo-US Relations (1947-1991) (Political and Truth Publishing House, Hanoi, 2018); Hind Swaraj - Indian Home Rule (in Vietnamese) (Translator, Social Science Publishing House, 2021); India - Vietnam Relations: Development Dynamics and Strategic Alignment (Springer, 2021); Dr. Ambedkar - A Builder of Modern India (Social Sciences Publishing House, 2024).

Non-Resident Fellow:

Dr. Do Truong Giang
Non-Resident Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr. Do Truong Giang, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is Vice Director at Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. He is also serving as the Director, Institute of Imperial Citadel Studies at Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. His main research topic is the economic history and international trade of the ancient kingdom of Champa (in present-day Central Vietnam) based on archaeological materials, especially trade ceramics. Besides, he is also participating in various important projects: Classify research and assess the value and compile the scientific document of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel site in Hanoi; Excavation at Oc Eo site in Southern Vietnam, etc. Dr.Giang once served as general secretary of Southeast Asian Ceramic society (Singapore) during the 2013-2014 term. He had been invited to be speaker at various academic events hold by Asia Research Institute, Asian Civilization Museum and Southeast Asian Ceramic Society (Singapore) and known as a regular presenter at many scientific conferences in Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, France, and the Netherlands. Currently, Dr. Giang is in charge of promoting the international cooperation in the field of archaeology and history of Vietnam, organizing international conference and seminar, constructing the database of Vietnam Imperial Citadel studies.

Senior Fellow :

Prof. Indramohan Jha
Senior Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Prof. Indramohan Jha, a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi taught Political Science at ARSD College, University of Delhi. He obtained M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. After a brief stint at Indian Express, he was associated with Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. He has keen interest in the application of Gandhian ideas to study the issues of conflict and peace. He has worked on research projects, presented papers at national/international seminars and symposia. He is also associated with research institutes. He is an Associate Member of IDSA, New Delhi and a member of Indian Political Science Association. He is Senior Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi. His research publications, book reviews and books range widely over varied aspects of national and international politics. He has authored books titled SAARC: The Road Ahead and Changing Narratives of Terrorism: India�s Security Challenges.

Visiting Fellow:

Dr. Amlan Dutta
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr. Amlan Dutta, a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is Assistant Professor at Dept. of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi. Formerly he was a Junior Fellow at the Prime Minister's Museum and Library (PMML), Teen Murti House, New Delhi, where he was working on India's policy towards East Asia and the Indo-Pacific. His doctoral thesis is focussed on Japan's domestic politics and Japan's foreign policy. He is also a former Assistant Professor at the Rashtriya Raksha University (An Institution of National Importance), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. He has visited and taken part in various academic programmes as well as delivered presentations in foreign universities and institutes such as the National Kaohsiung Normal University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences in Hanoi, Vietnam and the University of Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Dutta writes for leading thinktanks like the ORF as an expert columnist. He has previously also contributed to the drafting and compilation of the Annual Report (2019) of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Govt. of India. His primary focus areas are International Relations, Indian Foreign Policy, East Asian Domestic Politics and Geopolitics, Security Studies and Maritime Security.

Visiting Fellow:

Dr. Tilottama Mukherjee
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr Tilottama Mukherjee, a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is Assistant Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Political Science, Syamaprasad College, Kolkata. She has teaching experience of about 14years in both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has performed various administrative roles, including, member of the Governing Body, Secretary of the Teachers' Council, Head Examiner, Coordinator of the Directorate of Distance Education and Head of the Department. She was awarded her PhD on India- Vietnam Relations, in 2019, from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Her book 'China Factor in India- Vietnam Relations (1991-2019)' is an acclaimed work and an important contribution towards understanding the various layers and aspects of India- Vietnam relations during the period. She publishes regularly in various national and internal journals and books. She has delivered many invited lectures in various Colleges and other institutions in the country as well as in Vietnam.

Visiting Fellow:

Dr. Aditya Ojha
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr. Aditya Ojha, a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Strategic Communication at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (Deemed to be University), New Delhi. With over twelve years of experience in teaching and research, he has developed a deep academic engagement with communication theories, media laws, and research methodologies. He earned his Ph.D. from the School of Journalism and New Media Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. His doctoral research, titled "Representation of India and China in Nepalese Media: A Content Analysis of English E-Newspapers," examines the complex dynamics of regional media narratives and international image construction. Dr. Ojha holds master's degrees in both Political Science and Journalism & Mass Communication, reflecting his interdisciplinary academic foundation that bridges political analysis and media studies. He has presented several research papers at national and international conferences and has published significant scholarly work in reputed national and international journals. His teaching and research interests include strategic communication, political communication, communication theories, media ethics, and research methodologies. He continues to explore the intersections of communication, diplomacy, and international relations, contributing to a deeper understanding of how media shapes public perception and policy discourse.

Visiting Fellow:

Dr. Abira Bhattacharya
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr. Abira Bhattacharya, a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is serving as the Deputy Curator of the Department of Anthropology at the National Museum, New Delhi, India. She earned her PhD in Art History from the Department of History of Art, Indian Institute of Heritage, Former National Museum Institute, Delhi, India, with a thesis titled, 'Sculptures of Buddhist Goddesses in Eastern India: An Aesthetic and Iconographic Study (8th -12th century C.E.).' In her curatorial position, she conceptualized, designed, and curated exhibitions and fostered international collaborations, both as permanent displays and temporary exhibitions at the National Museum. She has successfully bridged the gaps between tangible and intangible cultural heritage through the curation of museum exhibitions and research catalogue. Some her recent curatorial project include- the ongoing exhibition 'The Light and Lotus: the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened' (Raipithora Complex, Delhi), inaugurated by' Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi on January 3, 2026, and the permanent gallery titled as 'The Saga of Honor and Heroism in Northeast India' exhibiting over 250 objects from the Northeast India at the CMP Barrack, Red Fort, inaugurated on 8th November, 2025. She also contributed in significant projects under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, including- the Digital Exhibition on the Shared Buddhist Heritage in collaboration with SCO member countries; the International Museum Expo; the Festival of Libraries and the International Art, Architecture, and Design Biennale, have connected her to a global network. Additionally, she curated the travelling exhibition, 'The Indo-Siam Connect: Tracing the Indian Heritage in Thai Art and Living Traditions' at the Bihar Museum, Patna, as part of the ongoing Second Edition of the Bihar Biennale.

Visiting Fellow:

Dr. Om Prakash Dahiya
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr. Om Prakash Dahiya, a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is currently teaching at Zakir Husain Delhi College (Eve.), University of Delhi as Assistant Professor (Political Science & International Relations). He has worked as an Associate Fellow at National Maritime Foundation from April 2012 to 2015. His areas of interests are Indo-Pacific Studies, India's Look-East Policy, India-Australia Relations and Maritime Security in Indian Ocean Region. He has done his M. Phil. and Ph. D. in international relations from Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Dr. Dahiya has qualified UGC-NET and JRF for Lectureship. He has presented/published papers in national and international seminar/conferences.

Visiting Fellow:

Dr. Mahjabin Banu
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Dr. Mahjabin Banu,  is a Associate Professor, HOD-Department of Management Studies, at Inderprastha Engineering College, Ghaziabad. Her research and consulting areas include International migration and ILO conventions. She was also associated with Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi as a Visiting Fellow and has also worked at the India Centre for Migration (ICM) under the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, now a part of MEA. She has also worked in corporate in the field of Human Resources in her early stage of career. She holds Ph.D. in the area of International Migration. She also posses post graduate qualification in Business Management and a Master's degree in Labour Management. She has qualified UGC NET in Management. Her research and consulting interest include international migration, ILO conventions and skill development. She was researcher to BBC world London also. Dr. Banu has also presented papers internationally and in India in international conferences. Published papers in Springer, ABDC journal, ESCI Journal and international Journals, chapter in edited books and articles in magazines related to migration/ Mode 4 Trade, women rights, law and governance on social issues and other contemporary issues. She has done projects with Wiley USA and was researcher with BBC World London also. She has been quoted a few times by BBC News in hindi regarding her opinion on boycott China issues and issues of labour migration during Covid time. She is also Principal Investigator to ICSSR's longitudinal Project on Women Development worth Rs.1.20 Crore for Social Research.

Visiting Fellow:

Ms. Niharika Saikia
Visiting Fellow, Centre for Vietnam Studies

Ms. Niharika Saikia, a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi is an Assistant Professor at the School of Law and Research, University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM). She is also pursuing her Ph.D. in International Relations at Nagaon University. She holds a Master's degree in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Cotton College, Guwahati. From 2019 to 2021, Niharika Saikia worked as a Researcher at the Centre for Vietnam Studies, New Delhi. She has also completed six months of Vietnamese language training, enabling her to engage more effectively with Vietnamese academic literature, historical sources, and cultural contexts. Her research interests include International Relations, Political Science, foreign policy, diplomacy, Southeast Asian studies, and comparative politics. She has presented numerous research papers at national and international seminars and conferences and has published several research articles and book chapters in reputed journals and edited volumes. In recognition of her academic engagement in regional cooperation and youth diplomacy, she was invited as a delegate to the India-ASEAN Youth Summit organized by the India Foundation. Through her teaching, research, and scholarly contributions, she continues to promote interdisciplinary perspectives on international affairs and foster greater understanding of India's engagement with Southeast Asia.

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