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Nishit Kumar

Ph.D., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Assistant Professor, Subhas Chandra Bose Chair of International Relations

Nishit Kumar

Ph.D., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
nishit.k@chanakyauniversity.edu.in
China Studies, Chinese Language, Literature, and Culture, Translation Studies, India-China Relations

My research lies at the intersection of China Studies, politics of art and culture, translation studies, and reception studies. Trained in Chinese language, literature and culture, my work seeks to bridge disciplinary boundaries by bringing together insights from translation studies, comparative literature, and strategic studies to better understand contemporary geopolitical processes. A central strand of my research examines the role of cultural production and translation in the making of world literature, particularly through the case of Chinese literature and its global circulation. My doctoral work on Mo Yan and the Nobel Prize explored how literary recognition is mediated by institutions, translators, and transnational networks. Building on this, I am interested in the broader question of how cultural capital is constructed and negotiated across linguistic and geopolitical contexts.

In parallel, my work engages with contemporary China’s strategic narratives and international communication practices. I study how China deploys language, media, and institutional platforms to shape perceptions in India and the wider Indo-Pacific. This includes research on Chinese soft power, digital influence operations, and civil society engagements, with an emphasis on their implications for India’s foreign policy and strategic environment.

Going forward, I aim to develop an integrated research agenda that connects cultural and strategic dimensions of China’s global presence. This includes projects on China’s engagement with Indian society, and the role of education, media, and think tanks in shaping bilateral perceptions. I am also interested in exploring how Indian knowledge systems and linguistic traditions can offer alternative frameworks for understanding global cultural and political interactions. Through my research, I seek to contribute to both academic scholarship and policy discourse, fostering a more nuanced and critically informed understanding of China in India and beyond.

Dr. Nishit Kumar is a trained Sinologist and Assistant Professor at the Subhas Chandra Bose Chair of International Relations, Chanakya University, Bengaluru. He was previously associated with the Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, where he worked as a Consultant (Research Fellow) on China-related policy research.

He holds a Ph.D. in Chinese from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi (2022), with a thesis titled “China and the Nobel Prize: Reception and Impact of the Literature Prize to Mo Yan.” He also completed his M.Phil., M.A., and B.A. in Chinese Language, Literature and Culture from JNU. He has been a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University and a Senior Visiting Student at Peking University. Dr. Kumar has taught Chinese language at Jamia Millia Islamia, St. Stephen’s College, and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College (University of Delhi).

His research focuses on China Studies, culture studies, reception studies, translation studies, and international relations, particularly strategic narratives and India-China relations. His work has been presented at leading international forums, and he is also a published translator of Chinese literature into Hindi.

  • Ph.D., 2022, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • MPhil, 2017, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Translation (PGDT), 2022, Bhartiya Anuvad Parishad, New Delhi
  • M.A. in Chinese, 2014, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • B.A. (Hons.) in Chinese, 2011, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • Secondary and Senior Secondary Education, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Gaya

Journal Articles

  1. Kumar, Nishit, “Representation of Chinese and Indian Literature in World Literature: Through the Lens of the Nobel Prize: Models of Reception and Cultural Politics,” in 漢學的跨領域交談：華裔學志青年學者文集 (Interdisciplinary Conversations in Sinology: A Collection of Essays by Young Scholars). Fu Jen Catholic University Press, 2025, pp. 3–30. ISBN: 978-986-0729-86-3.
  2. Kumar, Nishit, “Role of ‘Others’ in the Award of Nobel Prize in Literature: Case of Mo Yan,” ASSONANCE: A Journal of Russian & Comparative Literary Studies, No. 24, Jan. 2024, pp. 195–206. ISSN: 2394-7853.
  3. Kumar, Nishit, “साहित्यिक नोबेल पुरस्कार में अनुवाद की भूमिका” [Role of Translation in the Award of Nobel Prize in Literature], Anuvad, Issue 195, Apr.–Jun. 2023, pp. 86–96. ISSN: 0003-6218.
  4. Kumar, Nishit, “Howard Goldblatt’s Translations of Mo Yan’s Works into English: Reader Oriented Approach,” Translation Today, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2021, pp. 207–219. ISSN: 0972-8740.

Book Chapters

  1. Kumar, Nishit, “लोक की पर्यावरणीय दृष्टिकोण,” in Neeraja Arun Gupta and Amarendra Kumar Arya, eds., लोकावलोकन: लोक विचार, लोक व्यवहार, लोक व्यवस्था, Vol. II. New Delhi: Pragya Pravah Pratishthan / Kitabwale, 2024, pp. 99–105.
  2. Kumar, Nishit, “Shiva and the Youth: How ‘Shivoham’ Inspires a New Generation,” in Shivoham: Hours of Awakening. Prajna Pravah, 2024, pp. 72–77.
  3. Kumar, Nishit, “The New Culture Movement and Huaju: From an Art Form to an Agent of Change,” in Sabaree Mitra, ed., China’s May Fourth Movement: New Narratives and Perspectives. Routledge, London and New York, 2023. DOI: 10.4324/9781003362470-19. ISBN: 978-1-032-42507-8.
  4. Kumar, Nishit, “Chinese Presence in the United Nations: Implications for India,” in Surabhi Gupta and Vinay Kaura, eds., India and UN in Changing Global Order. Centre of Excellence on United Nations Studies (CU-UNS), Sardar Patel University of Police Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur, 2023, pp. 113–128. ISBN: 978-81-951021-7-4.
  5. Kumar, Nishit, “Literature as a Medium of Intercultural Communication: A Case Study of Mo Yan’s Literature Nobel,” in Somya Nayak, ed., Discourse on Chinese Language, Literature and Culture. Bluerose Publishers, 2022. ISBN: 9789354729645.
  6. Kumar, Nishit, “The Evolution of India-Indonesia Relations: From Ramayana to China,” in Gautam Kumar Jha and Son Kuswadi, eds., India-Indonesia Bilateral Ties: An Introspection. New Delhi: Suryodaya Books, 2015, pp. 169–180. ISBN: 8192570231.

Book Reviews

  1. Kumar, Nishit, review of Adhira Mangalagiri, States of Disconnect: The China-India Literary Relation in the Twentieth Century, China Report. (upcoming)
  2. Kumar, Nishit, review of Flair Donglaishi and Gareth Guangming Tan, eds., World Literature in Motion: Institution, Recognition, Location, Commonwealth Essays and Studies, vol. 43, no. 2, 2021. ISSN: 2534-6695.
  3. Kumar, Nishit, review of Zhang Zhizhong, On Mo Yan (莫言论), published online in New Frontiers in Asian Scholarship, 2020.
  4. Kumar, Nishit, review of Jiang Zhiqin, Studies on the Communication of Mo Yan’s Writings Abroad (莫言作品：海外传播研究), published online in New Frontiers in Asian Scholarship, 2020.

Academic Presentations

  1. Kumar, Nishit, “China’s Techno-Nationalism: Strategic Policies and Technological Innovation,” 18th All India Conference of China Studies (AICCS), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore, 24–26 October 2025.
  2. Kumar, Nishit, invited talk, “Interpreting the Translated: A Comparative Study of Mo Yan’s ‘变’ (biàn) in Chinese, English, and Hindi,” Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), 10 September 2025.
  3. Kumar, Nishit, invited speaker, Closed-door Roundtable on “Chinese Influence Operations in India,” Centre for Contemporary China Studies, Ministry of External Affairs, 02 May 2025.
  4. Kumar, Nishit, “Emerging Complexities in India–China Relations: Causes and Implications,” AAS-in-Asia Conference, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, 09–11 July 2024.
  5. Kumar, Nishit, invited speaker, Indo-Pacific Information Operations Roundtable, Doublethink Lab, Taiwan, 15–16 August 2024.
  6. Kumar, Nishit, invited speaker, Young Thinkers’ Meet (YTM), India Foundation, Chitrakote, 26–28 July 2024.
  7. Kumar, Nishit, “Navigating the Dragon: India and Europe’s Foreign Policy Response to China’s Growing Influence,” International Conference on Democracy and Diversity, India International Centre, New Delhi, 25–26 April 2024.
  8. Kumar, Nishit, “Role of CCSEAS in Strengthening India–China Relations via Cultural Ambassadors,” CCSEAS Golden Jubilee Conference, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 19–20 January 2024.
  9. Kumar, Nishit, “Declining People-to-People Exchanges between India and China: Facts and Future,” Southwest Conference on Asian Studies, University of Houston, 03–04 November 2023.
  10. Kumar, Nishit, “The Future of Indian Medical Students in China,” AAS-in-Asia Conference, Daegu, Korea, 24–27 June 2023.
  11. Kumar, Nishit, “Indian Students in China: COVID-19 and Their Future,” ICSSR Conference, Woxsen University, 14–15 December 2022.
  12. Kumar, Nishit, “Analysis of India–Taiwan Relations through the Lens of Tourism,” O.P. Jindal Global University, 12 November 2022.
  13. Kumar, Nishit, “Mo Yan as China’s Cultural Capital: Why and How,” 14th AICCS (virtual), 11–13 November 2021.
  14. Kumar, Nishit, “Role of American Institutions in the Development of Contemporary Chinese Literature,” PAMLA Conference, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 11–14 November 2021.
  15. Kumar, Nishit, “Folkloric Elements in Mo Yan’s Writings,” ISFNR Congress, Zagreb, 2021.
  16. Kumar, Nishit, “One Prize, Many Stakeholders: Case of Mo Yan’s Literature Nobel,” KFLC Conference, University of Kentucky, 22–24 April 2021.
  17. Kumar, Nishit, “New China and its Cultural Understanding in the 1950s: An Indian Perspective,” ACLA Annual Conference, 08–11 April 2021.
  18. Kumar, Nishit, “साहित्यिक नोबेल पुरस्कार में अनुवाद की भूमिका,” Banaras Hindu University Lecture Series, 17–18 March 2021.
  19. Kumar, Nishit, “Howard Goldblatt’s Translations of Mo Yan’s Works in English,” International Conference on Translation and the Glocal, 27–29 August 2020.
  20. Kumar, Nishit, “Chinese and Indian Literature Through the Lens of the Nobel Prize,” Monumenta Serica Conference, Fu Jen University, 25 September 2020.
    (Also accepted at University of South Carolina conference, cancelled due to COVID-19.)
  21. Kumar, Nishit, “Reception of Mo Yan as China’s Nobel Laureate,” Harvard-Yenching Institute, 20 December 2019.
  22. Kumar, Nishit, invited talk, New Youth Literature Salon (Beijing), 23 June 2019.
  23. Kumar, Nishit, “Image of Women in Culture: India–China Comparative Study,” Sino-Indian Youth Forum II, Peking University, 25–28 April 2013.

Honours/Fellowships

  • Awarded Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association (PAMLA) Graduate Student Scholarship to present a paper at PAMLA 2021. (2021)
  • Awarded American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA) Grant to present a paper at the ACLA Annual Meeting 2021. (2021)
  • Awarded the Institute of Chinese Studies-Harvard Yenching Institute (ICS-HYI) Joint Fellowship for Doctoral Research in China Studies. (2018-2021)
  • Awarded Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Scholarship to attend Shanghai Summer School at Shanghai International Studies University. (2015)
  • Awarded Huawei-Maitree Scholarship to pursue advanced Chinese language studies at Ningbo University, China. (2012)

Professional Memberships

  • Member, Association for Asian Studies (since 2019)
  • Member, American Comparative Literature Association (ACLA)
  • Member, International Society for Folk Narrative Research (ISFNR) (since 2020)
  • Member, Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association (PAMLA)
  • Lifetime Member, Comparative Literature Association of India
  • Lifetime Member, Bhartiya Anuvad Parishad (Translators’ Association of India)
  • Member, Prajna Pravah Sansthan

Special Trainings and Certifications

  • DISARM Analyst Certification, DISARM Foundation. (2024)
  • Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Translation Studies from the Global South”, organized by Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Sri Sri University (SSU-AADC), February–March 2024.
  • Faculty Development Programme on “Emerging Areas in Foreign Language Study”, Teaching Learning Centre, Tezpur University, July 2021.
  • Training workshop on “Methods in India–China Studies”, conducted at Peking University and NYU Shanghai. (2018-2019)
  • Completed Teachers of Chinese as a Foreign Language Training Program, Visva-Bharati University in collaboration with the Consulate General of China, Kolkata.
  • Intensive Programme on “English for Academic Writing: From Synopsis to Thesis Writing”, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

LinkedIn: Nishit
Google Scholar: Nishit

  1. Pathak, Sriparna; Kumar, Nishit; Jindal, Divyanshu; Parashar, Nikhil, “Elections and Foreign Interference: Lessons from India’s Elections,” Usanas Foundation, 2024.
    URL: https://usanasfoundation.com/elections-and-foreign-interference-lessons-from-indias-elections
  2. Kumar, Nishit; Ho, Elena Yi-Ching; Zhang, Albert, “Beijing’s Online Influence Operations along the India–China Border,” The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), 2024.
    URL: https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/beijings-online-influence-operations-along-the-india-china-border/
  3. Kumar, Nishit, “Literary Ties in 21st Century: SCO 2021,” The Shanghe Review, June 2021.
  4. Kumar, Nishit, Hindi translation of Cao Wenxuan’s Chinese short story 《痴鸡》 (Chi ji / “एक पागल मुर्गी”), Anuvad, Issue 191, Apr.–Jun. 2022, pp. 91–98. ISSN: 0003-6218.
  5. Kumar, Nishit, Hindi translation of Wu Nien-jen’s Chinese short story 《重逢》 (Chong feng / “पुनर्मिलन”), Anuvad, Issue 184, Jul.–Sep. 2020, pp. 103–105. ISSN: 0003-6218.

  • Selected as Youth Delegate representing India in the Indian Youth Delegation to China, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India (2012).
  • Served as Official Interpreter for the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, during the launch of “China–India Tourism Year” (2016).
  • Participated as Delegate at the Yenching Global Symposium, Yenching Academy of Peking University (2019).

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