Prasanta Kumar Pradhan

Dr. Prasanta Kumar Pradhan serves as a Research Fellow and Coordinator of the West Asia Centre at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi, a position he has held since joining the institution in 2008. He earned his doctorate from the prestigious School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His institutional affiliation with MP-IDSA, a premier defense and strategic studies think tank under India's Ministry of Defence, places him at the forefront of policy research on international security issues.

Dr. Pradhan's research expertise spans foreign policy, security and strategic issues in West Asia, with particular focus on India's relationship with the region and the wider Arab world. His work examines the implications of Arab uprisings, Gulf Cooperation Council dynamics, and evolving geopolitical shifts in the Middle East. He has developed significant expertise in analyzing regional conflicts including the Israel-Palestine situation, Iran-Saudi rivalries, Yemen crisis, and Syria's political transformation.

His research output demonstrates consistent thematic focus on India's strategic engagement with West Asia, moving beyond traditional economic ties to explore defense cooperation, security partnerships, and India's evolving role in regional diplomacy. The recent publications show increasing attention to contemporary crises including the Israel-Hamas war, Iran-Israel tensions, and the impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic on Gulf economies and India-GCC relations.

Notable scientific contributions include:

• Author of Arab Spring and Sectarian Faultlines in West Asia: Bahrain, Yemen and Syria (2017)
• Author of monograph India's Relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council: Need to Look beyond Business (2014)
• Editor of Geopolitical Shifts in West Asia: Trends and Implications (2016)
• Current research project on The GCC in Crisis: Implications for the Region and India

Dr. Pradhan actively contributes to policy discourse through research articles in reputable journals and chapters in edited volumes. His work bridges academic research and practical policy considerations, providing valuable insights for India's strategic engagement with the volatile West Asian region. His analysis often emphasizes the need for India to expand its relationship with Gulf countries beyond traditional economic ties to include strategic and security dimensions.