Dr. Rimli Basu is an Assistant Professor of Geopolitics at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune. With over a decade of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration, she brings deep expertise in South and Southeast Asian political affairs, non-traditional security, cultural diplomacy, and foreign policy analysis.

Dr. Basu holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Savitribai Phule Pune University with her thesis focusing on Post-1988 Myanmar-India Relations: Genesis, Nature and Prospects. She also holds an M.Phil and M.A. in International Relations from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in political theory, international relations, and strategic studies.

She has authored three books and contributed to nine edited volumes, covering themes like Look East to Act East Policy, regional connectivity, drug trafficking, migration, and gender in education. She has published extensively in reputed peer-reviewed journals, with 14 articles to her credit, addressing topics ranging from Indo-Myanmar relations to non-traditional security threats in Asia.

Dr. Basu has participated in international conferences and workshops in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar, and has been the recipient of several scholarships and travel grants, including those sponsored by UGC and the Royal Thailand Anti-Drug Cell. Her work uniquely bridges policy, theory, and field research.

She has also completed certification in Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World from SOAS, University of London through Coursera.

10 years of Research experience
10 Years of Teaching experience
4 years of Administration experience

Dr. Basu’s interdisciplinary research interests are rooted in geopolitics and security studies with a regional specialization in South and Southeast Asia. Key focus areas include:

• Strategic relations and foreign policy of India with Southeast Asian nations

• Non-traditional security issues including human and drug trafficking

• Myanmar’s internal political transformations and their external implications

• Regional cooperation and connectivity projects (e.g., Kaladan Multimodal Project)

• Cultural diplomacy as a strategic soft power tool in foreign policy

• Migration, displacement, and the human security framework

• Comparative foreign policies and international relations theory

1. The 2011 Myanmar Spring: Implication for India and China – Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012. ISBN: 978-3-8484-2630-0

2. State and Market: Partners, Collaborators, Competitors, and Regulators – Impact of Drug Trafficking in Asia – Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012. ISBN: 978-3-659-12896-7

3. Cultural Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: India’s Look East Policy – Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012. ISBN: 978-3-8465-8021-9

1] Rimli Basu “India and South East Asia : A Theoretical Analysis of Look East policy to Act East Policy” in Modi’s Foreign Policy innovations and Challenges ed. Amulya Tripathy and Jaya Krishna Baral (New Delhi: Ess Publications, 2018, ISBN 978-81-936074-2-8); 

2] Rimli Basu “Non-Traditional Security from the Perspective of Human Trafficking: Some problems and prospects”, in Non-Traditional Security Problems and Prospects, ed. Madhuparna Gupta (Kolkata: Avenel Press, 2017, ISBN 978-93-80736-52-5); 

3] Rimli Basu “Indo­-Sri Lanka Relations in the Post LTTE Period,” in Understanding Post 9/11 Cross Border Terrorism in South Asia, ed. Amulya K. Tripathi and D. Santishree Pandit (New Delhi: ESS Publications,2016, ) ISBN: 978-93-80036-84-7); 

4] Rimli Basu, “India as the Norm Builder and Norm Contributor,” in India’s Approach to Asia Strategy, Geopolitics, and Responsibility, ed. Namrata Goswami (New Delhi: Pentagon Press, 2016, ISBN: 978-81-8274-870-5);

5] Rimli Basu, “Continuity and Change in India­-Sri Lanka Relations Under the Present Regime in India,” in An Outline of Indian Foreign Policy and Relations,” eds. Biswanath Chakraborty, Debasish Nandy, and Rabindra Bharati (New Delhi: Gyan Books, 2016, ISBN: 978-93-80036-84-7); 

6] Rimli Basu, “Connectivity, Development, and Regional Integration: The Case of the Kaladan Project between India and Myanmar,” in Connectivity and Integration in South Asia, eds. Mohanan B Pillai and Adluri Subramanyam Raju (New Delhi: Gyan Books, 2015, ISBN : 978-93-5128-129-0) ; 

7] Rimli Basu, “Population Displacement in Asia: The Case of Migration and Human Trafficking from the Perspective of Human Security,” in Migration, Refugee, and Displacement in South Asia, ed. B.C. Upreti (New Delhi: G.B. Books, 2015, ISBN 978 93 83930 15 9) ; 

8] Rimli Basu, “Higher Education, Gender, and Vivekananda: A Proactive Approach,” in Vivekananda and Contemporary Education in India, Recent Perspectives, ed. Atanu Mohapatra (New Delhi: Surendra Publications, 2014, ISBN: 978-93-80817-50-7); 

9] Rimli Basu, “Post 9/11 India­U.S. Proximity and the Post ­LTTE Sri Lanka Factor,” in Post 9/11 United States­ India Relations Towards an Active Engagement, ed. Amulya Tripathi (New Delhi: Reference Press, 2013, ISBN: 978-81-8405-080-6). 

• Rotary Inner Line Peace Award (2000) – Recognized for academic excellence and peace studies

• UGC Travel Grant – Field research in Sri Lanka for a project on Buddhism and foreign policy (2009)

• Royal Thailand Government Travel Grant – Invited by the Royal Thailand Anti-Drug Cell for a regional research conference and fieldwork on transnational crime (2007)

• Lectureship Appointment – West Bengal College Service Commission (2001)

• SAUFEST Delegate – Nominated official of Pune University for the South Asian Universities Festival