Dr. R. Vignesh is a Associate Fellow in the Military Affairs Centre. He joined MP-IDSA in August 2021 and researches on the unfolding geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region and its implications to India’s National Security and Regional Security of South Asia.

He has a Master of Arts & Master of Philosophy in Defence & Strategic Studies from the University of Madras. He has also qualified UGC-NET for Defence & Strategic Studies. In 2016 he was awarded the prestigious Research Fellowship from the History Division, Ministry of Defence for pursuing doctoral research in the topic “New Gunboat Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and its Implications for India’s Maritime Security”. He received doctorate degree from the University of Madras in January 2022.

Prior to joining MP-IDSA, he worked as a Lecturer in the Department of Defence & Strategic Studies, University of Madras. He was also appointed by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) as a Lesson Writer for its senior secondary school textbooks for subjects of Military History and Military Studies.

Select Publications

• Maritime Theatre of the Ukraine War, In Sujan R. Chinoy, Abhay Kumar Singh and Vivek Chadha (Eds.), Ukraine War: Military Perspectives and Strategic Reflections, (pp. 159-183), Pentagon Press (2024).
• The Vanguard Brigade: An Appraisal of the United Nations’ Rapid Deployment Capabilities, India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, Volume 79, Issue 3, Sage Publications, 14 August 2023.
• Colombo Port City and its Implications on India’s Maritime Security, In S. Utham Kumar Jamdhagni (Ed.), India’s Blue Pulse: Preparing for A Maritime Future, (pp. 126 – 136), Vij Books India (2023),
• The China Factor in Africa’s Path to Liberal Democracy, Africa Review, Volume 15, Issue 1, Brill, 7 December 2022.
• Gunboat Diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific, Journal of Indian Ocean Studies, Volume 26, Issue 2, August 2018.
• Gunboat Diplomacy in the South China Sea and its Implications for Regional Security, In G. Jayachandra Reddy (Ed.), South China Sea: Emerging Scenario, (pp. 195 – 209), Pentagon Press (2018).
• Sustainable Development and Climate Change: A South Asian Perspective, In S. Manivasakan (Ed.), India’s March Towards Development -2030: Issues and Challenges, (pp. 29 – 35), UGC Centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Madras (2017).
• Women in Armed Forces, In S. Sakthi, A. Bhanu Gayatri Devi, S. Kalavathi & A. Vennila (Eds.), Woman Power and Social Change (2014).

Publications at MP-IDSA