Course Scholars

Lekshmi MK

Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), working with the Area Studies-Pakistan Programme and the NIAS Polar and Ocean Studies initiative. She also serves as an Assistant Editor for The World Today and The World This Week. Her research interests include ocean governance, the geopolitics of the Arctic and Antarctic regions, the impact of climate change, maritime security, and environmental diplomacy.

She is currently pursuing her postgraduate degree in Political Science at Madras Christian College.


GP Commentaries
CW Note
Heatwaves and Wildfires in Spain and France:
Capacity gaps and Resource constraints amidst Recurring extreme weather
Conflict Weekly #342, Vol 7, No. 29, 30 July 2026

July 2026 | CWA # 2215

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

PR Review
Climate Change and Pakistan's Economic Faultlines:
Six takeaways on inadequate climate finance, spillover effects, and low climate prioritisation

June 2026 | CWA # 2192

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

TWTW Note
NATO Summit 2026: 
Four takeaways on Alliance unity, Defence commitments, and Support for Ukraine
The World This Week #363, Vol 8, No 25, 12 July 2026

July 2026 | CWA # 2186

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. 

Remembering Amb PS Raghavan and his legacy
India as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean Region:
A Critique of Raghavan’s Maritime Security and Emerging Constraints
Amb Raghavan’s framework remains relevant for emphasising cooperative security, regional stability, and strategic autonomy. However, India’s role as a net security provider should be understood as an evolving and contested strategic aspiration. 

June 2026 | CWA # 2147

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

TWTW Note
The India-Nordic Summit and PM Modi’s Oslo Visit
Arctic cooperation, Climate diplomacy, and Trade diversification
Nordic countries view India as an increasingly important economic and strategic partner, as New Delhi offers access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major markets, a large skilled workforce, an expanding digital economy etc

May 2026 | CWA # 2117

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

The UN and the Iran-US War
UNSC Resolution 2817 between “Clear and Unified Message” and “Manifest Injustice”
The World This Week #348, Vol 8, No 10, 15 March 2026

March 2026 | CWA # 2024

Lekshmi MK

The War in Ukraine
The Geneva Talks and Growing Negotiation Asymmetry
Conflict Weekly #319-320, 20 February 2026

February 2026 | CWA # 1976

Lekshmi MK

Munich Security Conference 2026:
Europe’s Security Concerns, Defence Consolidation and Transatlantic Recalibration
The World This Week, # 345, 22 February 2025

February 2026 | CWA # 1974

Lekshmi MK

PR Explainer
Pakistan-Taliban Peace Talks
Background, Issues, Challenges and Implications
CWA #1975

December 2025 | CWA # 1972

Lekshmi MK

Pakistan in 2025
Pakistan's Climate Change Challenges
Governance Gaps, Adaptation Deficit, and Climate Finance Vulnerability
CWA #1972

December 2025 | CWA # 1969

Lekshmi MK

Pakistan’s Climate and Water Crisis
Five Questions on Challenges, Capacity and Policies
CWA #1969

November 2025 | CWA # 1966

Lekshmi MK

Early Bird
Sanae Takaichi’s historic win in Japan
What does it mean for domestic politics and regional stability?
Early Bird

February 2026 | CWA # 1961

Lekshmi MK

End of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
Erosion of arms control, Return of nuclear anxieties, and the New focus on China
The World This Week #342-343, Vol 8, No 03, 08 February 2026

February 2026 | CWA # 1956

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

CW Note
The War in Ukraine: The Trilateral Talks, and the Deadlock over Donetsk & Security Guarantees for Kyiv
Conflict Weekly 317, 30 January 2026, Vol 7, No. 4

January 2026 | CWA # 1950

Lekshmi MK

CW Note
Greenland: Trump’s escalation-deescalation approach and Europe’s defence 

January 2026 | CWA # 1942

Lekshmi MK

TWTW Note
Greenland: Trump’s escalation-deescalation strategy and Europe’s defence

January 2026 | CWA # 1939

Lekshmi MK

State of Global Politics 2025
The UN Ocean Conference: Repositioning the oceans from margins to global priority
The World This Week #338, Vol 7, No 52, 31 December 2025

December 2025 | CWA # 1928

Lekshmi MK

State of Global Politics 2025
United Nations General Assembly Summit: 80 Years
The World This Week #338, Vol 7, No 52, 31 December 2025

December 2025 | CWA # 1927

Lekshmi MK

State of Global Politics 2025
UK and India: PM Keir Starmer’s visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Cultural ties
The World This Week #338, Vol 7, No 52, 31 December 2025

December 2025 | CWA # 1912

Lekshmi MK

State of Global Politics 2025
France and China: President Macron's visit
The World This Week #338, Vol 7, No 52, 31 December 2025

December 2025 | CWA # 1909

Lekshmi MK

GP Insights
China’s draft legislation on Antarctica: Legal and institutional clarification and environmental pro

December 2025 | GP Insights # 946
Lekshmi MK

Finland withdraws from Ottawa Treaty

June 2025 | GP Insights # 928
Lekshmi MK

India’s Prime Minister's visit to Cyprus: “New Gateway to Europe” says Cyprus Prime Minister

June 2025 | GP Insights # 927
Lekshmi MK

Other Scholars

Abhimanyu Solanki is a Research Intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, and is part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader team, contributing to the PR Daily Brief. He is also a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and PhD scholar in the Department of Political Science at the University...

Acsah H is currently and intern at NIAS. She is pursuing postgraduate studies at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations at Manipal Institute of Social Studies, Humanities and Arts, MAHE, Manipal, Udupi. Her research interests include Outer-space governance and regulation.

Adwaith Sankar is a final-year undergraduate student pursuing Political Science and International Liberal Studies through the NUS-Waseda Double Degree Programme. He is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Akshath Kaimal is a Research Associate with NIAS Area Studies-Pakistan, and is a postgraduate in International Studies and International Humanitarian Action

Ankit is a Ph.D. scholar at NIAS, his research interests lie South Asia, peace studies and oral history. His research topic is on political economy of external debt in Pakistan (1971-2021).   Research activities In the STIR program, he is currently assisting in preparations of PR evening...

Aparna A Nair is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. Her research interests lie in East Asia (China), the Arctic Region, Planetary Governance and Gender Studies.

Avaneesh S is an intern at NIAS. Currently, he is pursuing post gradaute studies at Pondicherry University. His research interests include South Asian geopolitics & Security studies, Conflict & Counterterrorism studies and Energy Transition in Asia.

Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) under the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme. She serves as an Assistant Editor for The Conflict Weekly and The World Today, and part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader team.   She...

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an an intern at NIAS. She is also an undergraduate student at the School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, pursuing a bachelor's in Political Science and Economics. Her interests lie in conflict studies, foreign policy, and international relations. 

Manikranth Chakravarthula is a doctoral student at the Conflict Resolution and Peace Research Programme, School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

Namrata L Ghanghatkar is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, RUAS, Bengaluru. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. 

Padmashree Anandhan is currently a project associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore. Her research for the NIAS Europe Studies under the Area Studies initiative focuses on protest movements, conflicts, energy, economic, migration...

R. Preetha is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) - Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme. She serves as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week and The World Today, and is also part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader team. She is currently...

Priyanka Makhijani is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public Policy, School of Social Science, Ramaiah University of Applied Science. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Ms Rohini Reenum is a Doctoral Student at the Science, Technology and International Relations Programme, School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies. Her areas of interest in terms of research are Maritime Security, Ocean Governance, International Relations Theory,...

Sreemaya Nair is currently pursuing her under graduation at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St Joseph's University, Bengaluru.  Her research interests include Gender Studies, India and its neighbourhood, and Public Administration.

Urja R Kudalkar is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public policy, School of Social Science, Ramaiah University of Applied Science. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Yesasvi Koganti is currently pursuing under-graduation at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.  Her research interests include China–Europe relations; Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict dynamics in India’s Neighbourhood; Emerging security challenges...