Dr. Pankaj Vashisht is an Associate Professor and Coordinator at the ASEAN-India Centre (AIC), housed within the RIS. Earlier he was with the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).

With over 16 years of experience in policy-oriented research, Dr. Vashisht specializes in international trade, technology, labor economics, applied econometrics, and industrial competitiveness. As Head of AIC, he closely examines India-ASEAN relations, with a focus on trade and investment, regional value chains, and economic integration. His recent work has also expanded to critical minerals and MSME digitalization, exploring their role in fostering economic resilience and regional cooperation. Dr. Vashisht has worked closely with policymakers at both the central and state levels in India and has conducted research for international organizations such as The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Elcano Royal Institute. He has also collaborated with Indian industry associations, including the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

He holds a PhD in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and is a recipient of the Young Scholar Grant to attend the 38th NBER Summer Institute in Cambridge, USA, in 2015. Dr. Vashisht has made significant contributions to understanding the impact of international trade, technological advancements, and regional cooperation on economic development and employment in India. His extensive body of work includes a book on the competitiveness of the Indian auto industry, several report, chapters in edited volumes, research papers in refereed national and international journals, and working papers. He is also a regular contributor to leading print media. Widely travelled, Dr. Vashisht has presented his research at various international conferences.

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