Nikita Vats is the Managing Director at the Centre for Security and Strategy Studies (CeSCube). She is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University, India. She previously served as a Research Associate at the National Maritime Foundation, where she contributed to maritime and strategic policy research. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry from the University of Delhi and an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Punjab University. She also holds a second Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. Her research interests span strategic affairs in the Indo-Pacific, India’s energy security, critical minerals, climate diplomacy, and emerging technology-related security issues. Her current doctoral research focuses on the geopolitics of energy transition and India's strategic imperatives in contemporary world politics.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to global energy security, yet India’s position within this framework reflects a structural paradox. Despite a high dependence on imported crude oil, India’s emergence as a major refining hub introduces ...
Today’s global trade wars are being fought not just with tariffs, but with tonnes of critical minerals. China’s recent decision to restrict exports of key critical minerals to the United States is a sharp reminder that geopolitical leverage...
The research piece explores the imperative role of critical minerals in fortifying India's national security through a resilient supply chain. As India emerges as a key player in defence manufacturing, securing these vital minerals becomes ...
India’s approach towards the island nations of the Pacific Ocean is gradually changing. This is mainly attributed to the shift of the geopolitical and geo-economic centre to the Indo-Pacific region. The strategic importance of the region ha...
The article identifies the role of natural gas in fuelling the recent and previous conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. The research tries to make a point by analysing the past events involving Russia and Ukraine since the inception of the...
The geopolitical centre of gravity is gradually shifting from the Atlantic towards the Pacific Ocean. The recent development that Australia will deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific region with the help of the United Kingdom and...
