Sri Saurav Sarmah

Saurav Sarmah

Ph.D., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Assistant Professor

Saurav Sarmah

Ph.D., Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
sauravsarmah@chanakyauniversity.edu.in
Sinology, Geopolitics, Political Philosophy, Comparative Religion and Indian Knowledge Systems

My work proceeds from a position of epistemological humility: I hold that the whole of reality and the exact truth lie beyond human grasp. Our knowledge is limited to the understanding of the contingent reality through three fundamental means – sense perception, logical inference, and reliable testimony. These three means find their consonance within a Kautilyan worldview, which is structured upon four pillars of knowledge – cognitive methods, Vedic tradition, economics, and science of governance.

The first pillar, cognitive methods, integrates three distinct approaches to knowledge, each aligning with a core means of gaining it. The study of phenomenal reality employs the scientific method, reliant on sense perception, logical inference, and reliable testimony (in the form of domain expertise). The pursuit of subjective clarity and efficacy requires mental and physical discipline, which cultivates the reliability of one’s own faculties of perception, inference, and testimonial interpretation. Finally, a stance of pragmatic realism introduces a necessary scepticism, fostering a healthy distrust of unverified inference and testimony to ensure decisive action amidst uncertainty.

This framework is synergistically linked to the second pillar, the Vedic tradition, which represents the application of reliable testimony to the moral and cultural fabric of society. This provides a foundation for moral conservatism around a dynamic concept of dharma, which is neither dogmatic orthodoxy nor liberal relativism, and which respectfully engages with non-Vedic dharmic thought as well. These first two pillars—the cognitive methods for understanding what is, and the Vedic tradition for understanding what ought to be — directly inform the final two: an approach to economics focused on sustainable growth and a science of governance dedicated to political stability.

My formal training in International Relations and Sinology at JNU and the study and practice of spirituality at ISKCON — has equipped me with a rigorous, analytical approach to politics and civilisation. At RGNUL, I began to teach political philosophy to law students, learning to engage with primary texts and theoretical debates, while refining my interdisciplinary perspective. I am currently developing this research at Chanakya University, applying this integrated framework, with its healthy input of Indian Knowledge Systems, to contemporary challenges in geopolitics and political philosophy.

Dr. Saurav Sarmah is an Assistant Professor in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Chanakya University, Bengaluru. He serves as the Programme Supervisor of Political Science and International Relations, and Civil Services Examination Preparation. His areas of specialisation include Sinology, Geopolitics, Political Philosophy, and Comparative Religion. He holds a PhD and an MPhil in Chinese Studies and an MA in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His doctoral research examined China’s soft power and the role of public diplomacy and Confucius Institutes in its foreign policy.

Before joining Chanakya University in 2022, he served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (2017–2022), where he taught political theory, public administration and foreign policy. He has been awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Merit Award (2010), UGC NET-JRF in International and Area Studies (2010), UGC NET in Political Science (2016), and the NASC Fellowship at the Takshashila Institution (2023).

His research spans China’s foreign policy, soft power, and civilisational perspectives on politics, along with contributions to an IKS project on Political Concepts in the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Arthashastra, and a Swayam Prabha course on Introduction to Chinese Studies at IIT Kanpur. He co-founded the Centre for Constitutional Law and Governance at RGNUL and the Videsh Neeti newsletter at Chanakya. He has contributed to institutional development and outreach as a part of the Admissions Committee, IQAC and Internal Complaints Committee. He has also organised and facilitated the visits of international scholars from the US, Europe and China.

Complementing his academic work, he pursued the study and practice of devotional philosophy at ISKCON between 2003 and 2016. He has also contributed to intellectual outputs in think tanks and student bodies outside his university. He speaks four languages, and uses a few other languages in his research and teaching.

  • Ph.D. in Chinese Studies, 2024, Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • M.Phil. in Chinese Studies, 2013, Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • MA in Politics (with specialisation in International Relations), 2009, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
  • B.A. in Political Science, 2007, DHSK College, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh
  • Higher Secondary in Science (PCM), 2004, DHSK College, Dibrugarh
  • Matriculation, 2001, Don Bosco School, Dibrugarh

Journal Articles

  1. S. Sarmah, “Transition of the People’s Republic of China from Mao to Market: An analysis of the political dynamics in the Chinese Communist Party-state (1976-1989),” Intellect. Quest, vol. 11, pp. 56–73, Jun. 2019.
  2. S. Sarmah, “Causes of the Failure of Camp David Talks 2000,” JONER (J. North East Region), vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 219–228, Apr. 2018.
  3. S. Sarmah and P. Sharma, “Illegal Immigration and Insurgency in Assam: Understanding the Role of Bangladesh and Their Impact on India’s Strategic Interest in the Region,” Res. J. MDKG, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 53–62, Apr. 2016.
  4. S. Sarmah, “China’s Soft Power Dilemma,” World Focus, vol. XXXIII, no. 9, pp. 65–72, Sep. 2012.

Book Chapters/Papers in Conference Proceedings

  1. S. Sarmah, “Soft Power and Great Power Ambition: China’s Global Influence in the Xi Jinping Era,” in Beyond The Himalayas: Indian Perspectives on China, M. Kewalramani, A. Saxena, and A. Kumar, Eds. Bengaluru, India: Takshashila Institution, 2025, pp. 248–288.
  2. S. Sarmah and S. Fuller, “Cafeteria Method in Contemporary Course Design,” in An Introduction to Teaching Methods in Higher Education, P. S. Jaswal, G.I.S. Sandhu, and M. K. Sharma, Eds. Patiala, India: Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), 2018, pp. 81–89.
  3. S. Sarmah, “The Druze of Levant: An Analysis of Historical and Contemporary Issues,” in Perspectives: A Collection of Essays on Language, Ethnicity and Identity, R. Mohan and M. Choudhury, Eds. Tinsukia, India: Dept. of English, Tinsukia College, 2018, pp. 757–765.
  4. S. Sarmah and R. Khaund, “Understanding Caste in India: Roots and Dynamics,” in Society and Politics in North-East India, N. G. Mahanta, Ed. Proceeding Volume of XVIth Annual Conference, North East India Political Science Association (NEIPSA), 2007, pp. 59–64.

Conference Papers

  1. S. Sarmah, “The Role of Knowledge in National Power: A Perspective from Kautilya’s Arthashastra,” presented at the Nat. Conf. Chanakya’s Philosophy and its Relevance to 21st Century: Theories and Practices, Bengaluru, India, Sep. 6, 2023.
  2. S. Sarmah and Y. Zhang, “Cultural Connectivity and Potential Cultural Conflict in BCIM, with Special Reference to India and China,” presented at the Int. Conf. BCIM Initiative and India’s Act East Policy, Kolkata, India, Jan. 12, 2017.

Popular Writings

2025

  1. S. Sarmah, “Trump’s ‘Art of the Deal’ Foreign Policy,” VideshNeeti, vol. 2, no. 2, p. 4, Apr. 16, 2025. Available:
  2. S. Sarmah, “Tulsi Gabbard, a karma yogi and Krishna bhakta becomes the Director of National Intelligence in the US,” VideshNeeti, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 4, Feb. 19, 2025.

2024

  1. S. Sarmah, “National Power by Kautilyan Parameters,” Kalinga International Foundation, Jan. 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.kalingainternational.com/saurav_sarmah.html
  2. S. Sarmah, “The 47th: Trump in America,” Centre for Constitutional Law and Governance (CCLG), Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, India, Nov. 7, 2024. [Online Guest Lecture]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7RRspkwqzM
  3. S. Sarmah, “Kautilyan Theory of Power,” VideshNeeti, vol. 1, no. 5, p. 4, Oct. 30, 2024.
  4. S. Sarmah, “Book Review: Bhat, V. R. and Shukla, T. (2024), Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Timeless Strategies for Modern Governance (e-book), New Delhi: IKS Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India,” VideshNeeti, vol. 1, no. 5, p. 3, Oct. 30, 2024.  https://thearthaperspective.blogspot.com/2025/08/kautilyas-arthasastra-timeless.html
  5. S. Sarmah, “Sheikh Hasina’s Fall from Power,” VideshNeeti, vol. 1, no. 4, p. 1, Aug. 15, 2024.
  6. S. Sarmah, “Political Regimes: Democratic and Authoritarian,” VideshNeeti, vol. 1, no. 3, p. 4, May 16, 2024.
  7. S. Sarmah, “India, A Beacon of Democracy for the World: Diversity, Argumentation and Mutual Respect,” VideshNeeti, vol. 1, no. 3, p. 1, May 16, 2024.
  8. S. Sarmah, “Echoes of Suffering: The History of the Armenian People,” VideshNeeti, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 3, Mar. 1, 2024.
  9. S. Sarmah, “Understanding the Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” VideshNeeti, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 2, Jan. 1, 2024.

2023

  1. S. Sarmah, “Illegal Immigration in Assam,” Centre for Constitutional Law and Governance (CCLG), Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, India, May 4, 2023. [Online Guest Lecture]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4jztSPd3fo

2021

  1. S. Sarmah, “The Concept of Dharma,” The Artha Perspective, Jul. 19, 2021. [Online Lecture]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiNA9McgOz0
  2. S. Sarmah, “What is a valid query and what is a self-evident truth? A critical analysis,” Medium, May 10, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://sauravsarmah.medium.com/what-is-a-valid-query-and-what-is-a-self-evident-truth-a-critical-analysis-362cb7ee4fde

2020

  1. S. Sarmah and M. Goel, “The Republican Tradition in India,” The Criminal and Constitutional Law Blog, Jul. 28, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://tcclb.wordpress.com/2020/07/28/the-republican-tradition-in-india/

2018

  1. S. Sarmah, “2018 SCO Summit at Qingdao: An Indian Perspective,” Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict, New Delhi, Jun. 15, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.sspconline.org/opinion/2018-sco-summit-qingdao-indian-perspective-fri-06152018-1200
  2. S. Sarmah, “Belt and Road Initiative: A Civilisational Perspective – Part 1,” Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS), Mumbai, May 22, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://thearthaperspective.blogspot.com/2018/05/belt-and-road-initiative-civilisational.html

2016

  1. S. Sarmah, “A Report on the Indian Think Tank Delegation to China, December 2015,” BRICS Institute Online, New Delhi, Feb. 11, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://thearthaperspective.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-report-on-indian-think-tank.html
  2. S. Sarmah, “China’s Soft Power Strategy,” FINS Bulletin, Mumbai, Jan. 4, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://thearthaperspective.blogspot.com/2016/01/chinas-soft-power-strategy.html

2012

  1. S. Sarmah, “Age of Reason: Imperialism and Vedic Wisdom,” 16 Rounds to Samadhi, San Diego, California, Dec. 12, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://thearthaperspective.blogspot.com/2012/12/age-of-reason-imperialism-and-vedic.html
  2. S. Sarmah, “The Origin and Evolution of the Vedic System,” Dandavats, Feb. 3, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=10260

2011

  1. S. Sarmah, “Arrows of Kama,” Dandavats, Sep. 30, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=84959
  2. S. Sarmah, “What is a valid query and what is a self-evident truth?,” Dandavats, Apr. 17, 2011. [Online]. Available: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=9496

Project 1

  • Title: Political Concepts in Ramayana, Mahabharata and Arthashastra: An Analysis of Sovereignty, Kingship, Welfare, Market, Diplomacy and War
  • Duration: 2023-24
  • Granting Agency: Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India
  • PIs/Co PIs: Vinayak Rajat Bhat (Principal Investigator), Saurav Sarmah (First Co-Principal Investigator), and Charu Ratna Dubey (Second Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Status: Completed
  • Grant Amount: ₹9,60,000/=

Project 2

  • Title: Introduction to Chinese Studies
  • Duration: 2022-23
  • Granting Agency: Swayam Prabha DTH Channel No. 25, IIT Kanpur, Ministry of Education, Government of India
  • PIs/Co PIs: Saurav Sarmah (Course Instructor)
  • Status: Completed

Awards and Fellowships

  • Network for Advanced Study of China (NASC) Fellowship, Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru (2023-24)
  • University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) Eligibility for Assistant Professor in Political Science (2016).
  • University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Eligibility for Lectureship in International and Area Studies (2010).
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Merit Award (2008-09) for securing first position in the M.A. (Politics) examination, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (2010).

Extra Courses Taken

  • RGNUL Faculty Development Workshop, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab. (Jan. 2022)
  • Faculty Development Programme on Blended Learning Courses with MOODLE LMS, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab. (Jul. 2021)
  • International Workshop on Academic Writing, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab. (Nov. 2018)
  • Certificate Course on An Introduction to Philosophy and Philosophy of Law, Center for International Legal Studies (CILS), Austria & RGNUL, Punjab. (Aug. 2018)
  • Certificate Course on Philosophy of Human Nature, Center for International Legal Studies (CILS), Austria & RGNUL, Punjab. (Mar. 2018)
  • Certificate Course on Law, the US Constitution and the American Legal System, Center for International Legal Studies (CILS), Austria & RGNUL, Punjab. (Aug. 2017)
  • Beginner Level 1 Certificate in Chinese (40 hours), Han You Chinese Language Institute, New Delhi. (Mar. 2015)

Languages:

  • Known: English, Hindi, Assamese, and Nepali.
  • Used: Chinese, Sanskrit, and Bengali.

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