Dr. Preethi Amaresh

Dr. Preethi Amaresh is a distinguished political scientist who earned her Doctorate in International Relations (DIR) in an accelerated timeframe of just 2.5 years from the Geneva School of Diplomacy in Switzerland. In 2023, she had the honor of delivering a speech as the doctoral representative at her graduation ceremony, an event attended by numerous esteemed individuals, including Dr. Shashi Tharoor, the former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Dr. Amaresh is the author of four influential books: Nihonomics: Economic Foreign Policy of Japan (2019), Nànmín: The Complexity of China’s Refugee Policy (2021), Ninengan Mae: The Stateless (2022), and Namastey Bharat: Unleashing the Soft Power of India (2023). Additionally, she served as the co-editor of Cyber Diplomacy (2025), which was launched at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, attended by top defense officials and other distinguished dignitaries.
Beyond her books, Dr. Amaresh has made significant contributions to the field of international relations through numerous articles, research papers, and op-eds published in esteemed magazines and news websites. Her work not only demonstrates her profound understanding of global dynamics but also reflects her commitment to advancing critical discourse on pressing international issues. Furthermore, she has been featured and interviewed by several prominent national and international media outlets, including EPOCH TIMES (United States), El MERCURIO (Chile), AAJ TAK, and Zee News, among others, further solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in her field.
Ms. Amaresh has garnered numerous accolades for her exceptional contributions to the field of International Relations. Among her most notable achievements is the prestigious “Tagore Memorial Award,” which she received in 2025. In March 2023, during a visit to India to commemorate International Women’s Day, she was honored by a high-profile delegation from the Government of Cuba for her diplomatic accomplishments at a ceremony held at the Hilton in Bengaluru. Most recently, in October 2023, the Commissioner for International Affairs from the New York Mayor’s Office presented Ms. Amaresh with the “Promising Young Leader” medal in New York City. In 2021, Ms. Amaresh was the sole scholar from India invited to participate in a distinguished conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and International Politics, organized by the Academy of International Affairs (AIA) in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). This significant event convened 39 young scientists and diplomats from 23 countries, showcasing her prominence in the field. Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs of India invited her to contribute to discussions on India’s Soft Power, further underscoring her expertise and influence. In 2021, the Ministry of External Affairs of India, through the Development Partnership Administration (DPA), invited her to participate in discussions on “The Soft Power of India.” This engagement underscored India’s cultural and diplomatic influence on the global stage.
During her Doctoral International Research (DIR) program in Switzerland, Ms. Amaresh collaborated with esteemed universities and institutions as a Visiting Doctoral Scholar. Her affiliations included the National Institute of Advanced Studies (IISc, India), the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies at the University of Copenhagen, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), and the South African Military Academy at Stellenbosch University, among others.
She has actively participated in a variety of events focused on diplomacy, climate change, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies at prominent organizations in Geneva, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Health Organization (WHO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Geneva Environment Network, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, the AI for Good Summit, and Africa 2050. Additionally, she has spoken at the United Nations Office in Geneva.
Prior to pursuing her Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Research (DIR), she engaged with diverse global audiences and presented her research at esteemed institutions in London, the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) in Sri Lanka, North West University in South Africa, and several leading universities across India. She holds dual Master’s degrees in General Psychology and International Relations, graduating at the top of her class and receiving a gold medal in International Relations from the University of Madras in 2017. Her exceptional achievements were recognized during the 160th University Convocation, where the University Vice-Chancellor in the presence of the esteemed 14th President of India honored her.
During her Master’s program from 2015 to 2017, Dr. Amaresh acquired invaluable experience through a series of internships and positions at prestigious organizations. Her professional journey includes significant roles at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S), and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the Ministry of External Affairs, India. Additionally, she made noteworthy contributions to the ABK-AOTS Dosokai Japanese Organization and the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Nippon India Trade and Industry (TACNITI). These diverse experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive skill set and a profound understanding of international relations and cultural diplomacy.
Furthermore, Dr. Amaresh served as the Manager of the Cyber Diplomacy and International Relations department at the United Service Institution-CyberPeace Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in New Delhi until July 2025. In this capacity, she delivered lectures at esteemed institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Thammasat University in Thailand, and Chandigarh University. Notably, she also presented at the Global Counter Terrorism Council event held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, which was honored by the presence of the Honorable Vice President of India in 2024, adding significant prestige to the occasion. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Amaresh produced several publications and hosted distinguished defense officials, academics, and leading experts for podcasts, interviews, and coffee table discussions, further enhancing her contributions to the field.
Her current research centers on the integration of artificial intelligence within the defense sector, Cyber Diplomacy, and the interplay of emerging technologies and diplomacy. She explores the dimensions of hard, soft, and smart power in these contexts. Additionally, Dr. Amaresh serves as a non-resident fellow at the Indo-Pacific Centre for Studies (IPSC) in Australia and the Nkafu Policy Institute, specifically within the Governance and Democracy division. In 2024, she was featured in an interview with the esteemed UK-based platform E-International Relations, where she shared her insights on these critical topics.
Dr. Amaresh is a versatile professional with leadership experience in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) under the Ministry of Defence, India. She has achieved notable success in sports and has received recognition for her extracurricular contributions. A former NCC cadet, she is also an enthusiastic equestrian and a passionate traveler, currently pursuing her Private Pilot License (PPL) through international training. In addition to her diverse interests, Dr. Amaresh holds international certifications in Spanish (DELE), French (DELF), and Mandarin Chinese (HSK), demonstrating her commitment to language proficiency. She possesses a foundational knowledge of Italian and is currently at the intermediate proficiency level in Mandarin Chinese (HSK).