About Director

Prof (Dr.) Ramakant Dwivedi is, currently (since November 4, 2024), Head, MERI Centre for International Studies, New Delhi. He is also Director of the India Central Asia Foundation (ICAF), New Delhi.

He graduated from the University of Allahabad in 1986 from the Commerce faculty. He completed his post graduation (1992), M.Phil. (1997) and Ph.D. (2002) from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has a Ph.D. from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Prof Dwivedi was a Visiting Research Fellow at the Al-Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies, Tashkent (1998–2001). He was Associate Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi (2003–2007). He worked as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with the National Security Advisor Office, Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India (2007–2024). During his service, he handled a wide range of strategic domains and represented India in 14 countries as a domain expert and member of official delegations for scholarly presentations. His published works include 55 research papers in national and international journals and edited volumes. He has authored and edited twelve books on international relations.

Prof Dwivedi was awarded the Nehru Memorial Scholarship for Doctoral Studies by the Prime Minister Museum and Library (earlier Nehru Memorial Museum and Library & Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund), Teen Murti House, New Delhi (1998–2000). He received a Commendation Certificate and Letter of Appreciation from the Director of IDSA (2004). He was conferred the “Diploma of Honorary Professor” by the University of Innovation and Digital Technologies (UIDT), Agency of Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, in Kulov City, Tajikistan, on October 16, 2025. He was nominated as a member of the International Educational and Cultural Relations Advisory Committee of the Rampur Reza Library and Museum by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh through the 53rd meeting of the Board on December 12, 2025. He received the “Golden Peak” Award from Ms. Nazira Aaly Kyzy, President of the National Academy of Manas (NAM), Kyrgyz Republic, for his contribution to the translation of the Kyrgyz epic Manas into Hindi on March 26, 2026 in New Delhi. Prof. Zhuldyz Sairambayeva, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, awarded him the Al-Farabi Medal for his contribution to enhancing India-Kazakhstan educational relations in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on June 11, 2026. He is also a Visiting Professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Dr. Dwivedi has been awarded a Major Research Project titled “India-Central Asia Relations: A Study of Pre-Islamic Period” by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, under the Major Research Projects Scheme (2025–2027).

He was a member of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Mt. Nandakot (22,510 ft.) Expedition-1997 (05 September – 04 October 1997) in the Kumaon Himalayas, Pithoragarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India. He represented Delhi State in the North Zone Rock-Climbing Competition held at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), New Delhi, on 14 November 1996. He served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Mountaineering Club, Jawaharlal Nehru University, during 1996–97. He successfully completed the Basic Mountaineering Course at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling (01–28 March 1996) with an ‘A’ Grade and was recommended for the Advanced Mountaineering Course. He also completed the Basic Skiing Course at North Face Ski School, Manali (15–22 January 1994) with an ‘A’ Grade, earning recommendation for the Advanced Skiing Course.

Prof Dwivedi is the Winner of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Badminton Annual Championship (Men’s Singles) for the years 1991 and 1997. He was a Volunteer of the National Service Scheme (NSS) and participated in the National Integration Camp, sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, and organised by Berhampur University at Gopalpur-on-Sea, Ganjam, Orissa, from 16–25 February 1989. He also completed the ‘B’ Certificate of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in 1983.

Prof Dwivedi is the Founding & Life Member of the India–Central Asia Foundation (ICAF), New Delhi; Life Member of the United Services Institution of India (USI), New Delhi; Life Member of the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC), New Delhi; and an Associate Member of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), India International Centre (IIC), and Press Club of India (PCI), New Delhi.

He is married to Mrs. Renu Dwivedi, and they have two daughters.