T. K. Oommen
Prof. Tharailath Koshy Oommen is an Indian sociologist, author, educationist and Professor Emeritus at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University. He was the 12th president of International Sociological Association (1990–1994). He was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third highest Indian civilian award in 2008 for his services to the fields of education and literature by the President of India. He currently resides at National Media Campus, Gurgaon in Haryana.
Prof. Oommen started his career as a lecturer in Social Sciences at Delhi School of Social Work, Delhi University (1964–70) where he worked as the Reader in Sociology (1970–71). He then moved to the Centre for the Study of Social Systems (CSSS), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as Associate Professor (1971–76) and later became the Professor of Sociology (1976–2002).
Saleem Kidwai
Prof. M. Saleem Kidwai is Research Director, Academy for Asia Pacific Studies, AMU Aligarh, He taught American Studies at School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and political science at University of Srinagar, Kashmir. He did his Masters and Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim University. His areas of interest include International Relations, Democracy Promotion, ánd Politics in West and South Asia.
Ashok K. Behuria
Dr. Ashok K. Behuria is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the South Asia Centre at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). He has been in the Editorial Boards of Journal of Peace Studies and Strategic Analysis, MP-IDSA’s flagship journal. He has taught at University of Delhi and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. A close observer of South Asia politics, he has been awarded K. Subrahmanyam Award for excellence in strategic studies in 2009. His latest book Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is available on MP-IDSA website for download and on Amazon/Flipkart for purchase.
Sheikh Khalid Jehangir
Sheikh Khalid is an Executive Member and Visiting Fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS), where he contributes to institutional leadership, policy research, and international dialogue on global affairs, external relations with particular focus on EU, conflict management, and human rights promotion.
His works focus on policy analysis, geopolitical risk assessment, peace diplomacy, and multilateral engagement, with sustained involvement in discussions and forums connected to United Nations and international policy platforms. He engages with governments, academic institutions, think tanks, and civil society actors on issues relating to conflict resolution, regional security, governance, and international cooperation.
He is the author of several books and analytical works addressing conflict, governance, and regional political dynamics, and contributes regularly to policy commentary and public discourse through academic and media platforms.
Widely travelled and internationally engaged, he has participated in policy dialogues, conferences, and research exchanges across regions. He is involved in research collaboration, policy dialogue, and public engagement across European networks, while continuing his international work with ICPS.
Areas of Expertise
- International Relations
- EU External Relations & Foreign Policy
- Peace & Conflict Studies
- Human Rights Policy
- Geopolitical Risk Analysis
- Multilateral & Track II Diplomacy
- Policy Research & Strategic Advisory
Publications
Author of multiple books on conflict, governance, and regional political issues Contributor to policy analysis, opinion pieces, and international commentary
Smruti S. Pattanaik
Dr Smruti S Pattanaik is a Research Fellow at the MP-IDSA. Her area of specialisation is South Asia. Dr Pattanaik has been a recipient of many international fellowships. She was a Visiting Asia Fellow (Asian Scholarship Foundation, Bangkok) at the Department of International Relations, Dhaka University in 2004 and follow-up grantee in 2007, researching on politics of identity in Bangladesh. She was a recipient of Kodikara Award in 1999 (RCSS, Colombo), a Post-doctoral Fellow at FMSH (Fondation Maison des Science de l’Homme), and was attached to the Centre for International Relations and Research (CERI, Science Po), Paris. She was selected to attend the Symposium on the East Asian Security (SEAS) Program conducted by the US State Department and USPACOM in 2011. She was a Visiting Fellow (September-October 2011) at the International Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), she was a Visiting Professor on ICCR’s India Chair at the University of Colombo for a semester. She is a member of MP-IDSA’s task force on neighboring countries and is coordinator of Pakistan project. She writes for the Daily Star and Dhaka Tribune (Bangladesh) and is on the Editorial Board of MP-IDSA’s flagship journal, Strategic Analysis published by Routledge.

