Here’s a curated list of the top 10 Indian geopolitical experts you absolutely must follow in 2025—each of whom brings unique insights into defense, diplomacy, and international affairs strategy.
1. Major Gaurav Arya (Retd.) – Military Strategy & National Security Expert
Major Gaurav Arya (Retd.) – Military Strategy & National Security
- Current Role: Editor-in-Chief, Chanakya Forum
- Expertise: Military affairs, national security, and strategic communication
- Notable Works:
- Regular columns on Chanakya Forum
- Host of “The Chanakya Dialogues” on YouTube
2. Sushant Sareen – South Asian Geopolitics Expert
Sushant Sareen – Pakistan & South Asia Expert
- Current Role: Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
- Expertise: Pakistan’s internal politics, radicalization, cross-border terrorism, South Asian security
- Notable Works:
- Author of “The Jihad Factory: Pakistan’s Islamic Revolution in the Making”
- Regular contributor to ORF and Indian media panels
3. Abhijit Iyer-Mitra – Defense Economics & Nuclear Policy Expert
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra – Defense & Strategic Affairs Analyst
- Current Role: Freelance Writer
- Expertise: Nuclear policy, defense procurement, Indo-Israel ties, national security strategy
- Notable Works:
- Articles in IPCS, ORF, and ThePrint
- Commentary on Rafale Deal, Indian Army modernization, and foreign defense tech
4. Ambassador Kanwal Sibal – Diplomacy & Foreign Policy Expert
Kanwal Sibal – Diplomacy & Foreign Policy
- Current Role: Former Foreign Secretary of India, Member at Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF)
- Expertise: Multilateral diplomacy, international relations, India’s foreign policy, strategic affairs
- Notable Works:
- Regular columns in The Hindu, The Tribune, and Hindustan Times
- Former Ambassador to France, Russia, Egypt, and Turkey
5. Nitin A. Gokhale – Strategic Affairs & Defense Journalism Expert
Nitin A. Gokhale – Defense & Strategic Affairs Journalist
- Current Role: Founder & Editor-in-Chief at BharatShakti.in and StratNewsGlobal
- Expertise: National security, military modernization, Indo-Pacific strategy
- Notable Works:
- Author of \”Beyond NJ 9842: The Siachen Saga\” and \”Securing India the Modi Way\”
- Former defense editor at NDTV and Tehelka
Also Read : (Best Indian Geopolitics YouTube Channels in 2025)
6. Tilak Devasher – Pakistan Studies & Intelligence Analysis Expert
Tilak Devasher – Pakistan Affairs & Intelligence Expert
- Current Role: Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), and author of key books on Pakistan
- Expertise: Pakistan’s political and military landscape, intelligence, strategic affairs
- Notable Works:
- Author of “Pakistan: Courting the Abyss,” “Pakistan: At the Helm,” and “The Pashtuns”
- Regular contributor to ThePrint and ORF
7. Brahma Chellaney – Geostrategy & Water Security Expert
Brahma Chellaney – Geostrategy & Water Security Expert
- Current Role: Professor of Strategic Studies, Centre for Policy Research (CPR)
- Expertise: Geopolitics, geostrategy, water conflicts, Asian security
- Notable Works:
- Author of “Water: Asia’s New Battleground” and “Asian Juggernaut”
- Contributor to Project Syndicate, The Japan Times, and Nikkei Asia
8. Lt. Gen. P R Shankar (Retd.) – Defense Technology & Military Strategy Expert
Lt. Gen. P R Shankar (Retd.) – Defense Technology & Military Strategy Expert
- Current Role: Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, columnist and defense analyst
- Expertise: Artillery modernization, defense tech, Indian military reforms
- Notable Works:
- Regular columnist for BharatShakti.in and ThePrint
- Known for the “India’s World View” YouTube series
9. Manoj Joshi – National Security & Strategic Affairs Expert
Manoj Joshi – National Security & Strategic Affairs Expert
- Current Role: Distinguished Fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
- Expertise: India’s security policy, China relations, terrorism, and strategic affairs
- Notable Works:
- Former member of the National Security Council Advisory Board
- Published in The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and ORF publications
10. Prof. Harsh V. Pant – International Relations & Foreign Policy Expert
Prof. Harsh V. Pant – International Relations & Foreign Policy Expert
- Current Role: Vice President – Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
- Expertise: Global security, India’s foreign policy, Indo-Pacific strategy, international relations
- Notable Works:
- Author of multiple books on Indian foreign policy and global affairs
- Professor of International Relations at King’s College London
Conclusion
These experts aren’t just commentators—they shape how India sees the world and how the world sees India.
Follow them. Learn from them. Stay informed.
Because in geopolitics, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s strategy.
