About Head
About Head
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, Ne w 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, Agency of Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan in Kulov city 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 by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh vide 53rd meeting of the Board 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 was Member of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Mt. Nandakot (22510 ft.) Expedition-1997 (05 Sept – 04 Oct) in Kumaon Himalayas, Pithoragarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India. He represented Delhi State in the North Zone Rock-Climbing Competition held at Indian Mountaineering Foundation (I.M.F.), New Delhi, India, 14 November 1996. He was Member of the Executive Committee (EC) of the Mountaineering Club Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi for the year 1996-97. He completed Basic Mountaineering Course, March 01 – 28, 1996 from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, West Bengal, India with `A’ grade, recommended for Advance Mountaineering Course. He completed Basic Skiing Course, January 15 – 22, 1994, North Face Ski School, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India with `A’ grade recommended for Advance Skiing Course. He is the Winner of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Badminton Annual Championship (Men’s Singles), 1991 &1997. He was Volunteer of the National Service Scheme (NSS) and a member of the National Integration Camp, sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, organised by Berhampur University, February 16 – 25, 1989 at Gopalpur-on-Sea, Ganjam, Orissa, India. He completed `B’ Certificate of National Cadets Corps (NCC) in 1983.
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.