Interview – Preethi Amaresh |
*Originally published in 2024 and preserved as part of our archive project. E-International Relations is free to read. We rely on reader support to make this possible.
Dr. Preethi Amaresh is a Political Scientist and Manager of the CyberDiplomacy & International Relations Department at CyberPeace, based at the United Service Institution of India (USI) in New Delhi. She earned her doctorate in International Relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy, Switzerland, and holds two master’s degrees in Psychology and International Relations and was the University gold-medalist. She has been a Visiting Doctoral Scholar at institutions including the National Institute of Advanced Studies (IISc campus, India), the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), South African Military Academy (Stellenbosch University).
Dr. Amaresh’s expertise lies in foreign and strategic affairs, with a particular focus on India. Recently, her work has expanded to include cyberdiplomacy. She has authored four books in the fields of international relations and foreign policy: Nihonomics: Economic Foreign Policy of Japan (2020), Nànmín: Concavity of China's Refugee Policy (2021), Ninengan Mae: The Stateless (2022), and Namastey Bharat: Churning the Soft Power Treasure of India (2023). She is currently working on four additional book projects as the sole author. In addition, Dr. Amaresh has authored numerous publications on International Relations for numerous websites, including Modern Diplomacy, The Diplomat, and The Diplomatist. Additionally, she has an interest in aviation and collaborates with her husband, a Boeing International pilot, on related articles.
What (or who) prompted the most significant shifts in your thinking or encouraged you to pursue your area of research?
Passion in any field is what makes an individual move forward in life. It is important to ignite that fire within you and pave the way for your own success. Embody your unique qualities and let them guide you towards achieving your goals. During my early days as a doctoral scholar or even before pursuing my doctoral research, focusing on a distinct area of research turned out to be challenging. Nevertheless, remaining motivated and committed to your "preferred area of study" is important to contribute significantly to the academic world.
All my life, I have taken enough risks by experimenting with what I really want, and my failures and critics have only made me stronger. My mother, a former banker has been a great influence in inculcating in me the habit of reading different genres of books since my school days. Given my passion for writing and contributing to school and college magazines, my interest gradually shifted to research and writing books. All these aspects have transformed me into a better individual and helped me to have smooth sailing to complete my doctoral thesis in 2.5 years, further receiving appreciation from my thesis defense panel in Switzerland for the high-quality work. Traveling to other institutions/universities as a visiting scholar added additional research experience for my doctoral thesis. My association with these universities and organizations helped me to gain further insights related to my research on aspects such as the foreign policy of India, digital diplomacy, India and Russia's soft power, the impact of artificial intelligence in International Relations and diplomacy, military diplomacy and soft power of India and Africa.
Switzerland's renowned education system for students provides excellent opportunities, though affordability can be a barrier. In the coming years, I intend to pursue a post-doctorate in either Switzerland or the United States to advance my research capabilities. Importantly, to be successful, it is essential to have the support of near and dear ones. I was raised in a family of highly educated professionals spanning three generations - doctors, surgeons, lawyers, bankers, engineers, and government officials. Quality education was deeply revered in our household. As the sole family member to pursue a different career path, I encountered initial skepticism. Yet, my mother, elder sister (an engineer residing in Australia), and other close loved ones have steadfastly supported and encouraged me throughout my journey, serving as pillars of strength.
One way to also remain motivated is to surround oneself with a supportive web of peers, mentors, and advisors who can provide worthwhile feedback and advice throughout your research journey. I have also been fortunate to have exemplary, highly........