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 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 had worked as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with the National Security Advisor Office, Prime Minister Office, Government of India (2007 – 2024). He has looked after a variety of domains assigned to him during the service. He has represented India in 14 countries as domain expert and part of official delegation for scholarly presentations. His published works include 55 research papers in national/international journals, edited books. He has authored/edited twelve books on international relations.

Prof Dwivedi was awarded Nehru Memorial Scholarship for Doctoral Studies by 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 a “Diploma of Honorary Professor” by the University of Innovation and Digital Technologies (UIDT) of Tajikistan on October 16, 2025.

He was nominated as a member for the “International Educational and Cultural Relations Advisory Committee” of the Rampur Reza Library and Museum on December 12, 2025.

He was conferred “Golden Peak” award by Ms Nazira Aaly kyzy, President, National Academy of Manas (NAM) of the Kyrgyz Republic for the contributions in translation of Kyrgyz epic ‘Manas” in Hindi language in New Delhi on March 26, 2026.

Prof Zhuldyz Sairambayeva, Dean of the Faculty of International Relations of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, awarded Al-Farabi Medal to Prof Dwivedi for his contribution in enhancing India-Kazakhstan relation in education sector in Almaty city, Kazakhstan on June 11, 2026.

He is visiting Professor at the Diplomatic Academy at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Dr. Dwivedi has been awarded major Research Project on “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 scheme Major Research Projects (2025–27).

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

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