Our name takes inspiration from the ancient Greek verb ‘Kubernein’, which means ‘to steer’ and provides the root for governance.
In today’s increasingly fractured world the use of information has become the ultimate power. We are at a pivotal point in history – where far reaching changes in the political, social and economic space indicate that ideas, governance structures and global decisions are no longer limited to the purview of the global north. Centres of thought and strategic analysis are shifting, with critical insight emerging from new geographies. As an India-based globally engaged geopolitical advisory we look at the world as interconnected and consider critical questions with a wider perspective.
We lead with the key insight that most solutions have global ramifications, but when information is disjointed and often times distrustful, it becomes difficult to wade through the noise and make an informed decision. Often the best solutions for a problem are straightforward, rooted in local knowledge combined with a pragmatic understanding of shifting globalisation. We employ our deep understanding of India within a geopolitical framework, supplemented by rigorous research, analysis, and advice from a proven network of experts in relevant fields. We continue to challenge accepted norms, and work to future proof solutions that understand realities of today.
Our people and our ideas are paramount, for which we have adopted a lean, remote working model. This allows us to engage wide ranging talent – including researchers, subject matter experts, and designers- depending on the needs of the project, and individual capabilities of people. Our projects use a mixed methodology of rigorous research combined with consultations and field work as required, innovative dialogue and workshops using a variety of tools and concepts. Gender, non-traditional security risks, emerging ideas and thought processes, are cross-cutting themes in all our work.
Consider critical questions with a perspective that balances traditionally thought with new and emerging ideas
Our vision is to build an organisation that considers critical questions with a perspective that balances traditionally thought with new and emerging ideas in the field of international relations, diplomacy, and foreign and security policy.
As a boutique geopolitical advisory, we work with partners with a shared vision that places human and environmental security at the core of their actions. We also help partners that wish to speak to a wider audience or seek intelligence on divergent issues which may have repercussions on their work. We are in the early stages of our growth story.
Our Story
Kubernein Initiative was founded in 2019 by Ambika and Priyanka to fill the gap in intellectual thinking around the convergence of traditional and non-traditional security issues. As women in a predominantly male dominated field, they also sought to examine how this thinking could be made more inclusive of ideas from more diverse minds, both in India but also globally.
What began as a two member project team, combining strengths in strategic communication and geopolitical analysis, has grown into a family of strengths. Today we have a robust team of individuals, from a diverse range of backgrounds including law, journalism, and project management, that are also skilled at engaging with international relations and policy topics.
Our Team
Ambika is a geopolitical analyst and water security specialist with experience in the field of governance and foreign policy. She has led track two diplomacy efforts and consulted with several governments and international organizations in the MENA region, Europe and India, and helped shape their policies in the field of conflict resolution, water diplomacy and security. The first Indian to be invited as a member of the prestigious Munich Young Leaders Network, she has been invited to consult with and speak at various events and conference across the MENA region, India and Europe, by The Hague Institute, Koerber Foundation, Central University of Jammu, TERI, Mumbai University and others. Ambika has been interviewed and published in newspapers and online media including The Third Pole, China Water Risk, The National, Project Syndicate, 9DashLine, Al Jazeera, Europäische Sicherheit, Stratfor, Atlantic Community, Hurriyet, Turkish Weekly, Daily News Egypt, Jordan Times, and Stockholm International Affairs Quarterly amongst others. She is part of the inaugural cohort of the China-India Visiting Scholars (CIVS) Fellowship, 2020 – 2021, Ashoka University and also a Non-Resident Fellow with the Agora Institute, Germany.
Passionate about: Random new places, good food, coffee and whiskey, preferably all at the same time, solo or with friends and family depending on her mood. She loves to read, though there never seems to be time and enjoys good trashy tv on long flights.
Priyanka is a strategy and communications specialist with over a decade experience working with the private and non-profit sectors in South Asia, North America and Europe. She has expertise on a wide range of issues which include sustainable development, future forecasting, water diplomacy, governance, security, conflict resolution and renewable energy. Priyanka was a consultant with the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service in New York and has worked with Suzlon Energy, Strategic Foresight Group, Institute for Sustainable Communities and Dalberg Advisors in Asia. She is currently a Visiting Faculty at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, where she teaches Business Communications.
Passionate about: Learning about cultures through movies – I watch a lot of random stuff.
Aadhya is a Senior Program Manager and works on a wide range of geopolitical, climate, and sustainability initiatives, including Feminist Foreign Policy, and the Sustainable India Report with key partner organisations. She has previously worked with Harvard University as a Project Coordinator in their Professional Education space, at their Law School’s Dean’s office and at MIT in their Student Life areas, in various capacities. She has also held roles in India and worked with Linde India in the area of key account management. While her background is in project management, and organisational management, Aadhya has a keen interest in foreign policy issues. She undertook a course ‘Philosophical Foundations of Economic Justice’ under the Harvard Extension School, which further ignited a long-standing personal interest in the field of international relations, philosophy and its integration with economics and the society at large. Aadhya holds a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Warwick with a focus on International Trade, Development Economics, and Law and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Gujarat University.
Passionate about: Being curious about the world, its people and cultures, which all translates into making friends quickly, trekking, traveling and reading. Someday this passion might also turn into a degree in Anthropology. Stay tuned.
Aditi is a Program Associate, leading Kubernein Initiative’s work on inclusive foreign policy, as well as other gender and feminist foreign policy projects. She runs the Women in International Relations Network initiative, which seeks to amplify the voices of women and marginalised communities in international security, foreign policy, and peacebuilding and conflict resolution, with a focus on India and the Global South. She is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper in the Mumbai hub. She is currently also a part of the 2023 EU-India Young Leaders Programme. Aditi has an academic background in International Studies, Mass Media, and English Literature and Psychology. Her areas of interest are interdisciplinary, and include non-traditional security, climate change, and building inclusive and resilient futures. She has previously worked with research organisations, start-ups, and non-profits in various capacities.
Passionate about: Fitness, but equally passionate about desserts. The way into her heart is through a good book or a good cup of coffee, or ideally, both.
Namrata Kabra is a Program Associate, leading the projects on Water & Climate Security with an intersectional gender lens. Namrata holds an LL.M. in Environmental Laws & Climate Change; PG Diplomas in Tourism & Environmental Law; and Environmental Law & Policy. Namrata has over 7 years of experience, as a legal researcher with national, regional, and international organizations on environment, biodiversity and climate laws. She coordinates and facilitates the South Asia Bioregionalism Working Group, a network for reimagining eco/bioregional governance in South Asia. Her areas of work include legal and evidence-based research, policymaking, building advocacy around climate change adaptation with a focus on gender justice, human rights, human mobility, and rights of nature. Her overarching interests lie in legal education, urban governance, transboundary cooperation, and access to information and justice.
Passionate about: Gardening, Travelling and Learning.
Hritik is a Research Analyst currently working on Kubernein Initiative’s Indo-Pacific & Feminist Foreign Policy projects. Hritik holds an MA in Diplomacy, Law, Business (MA.DLB) from O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) and a BBA (International Business) from MIT-WPU. He has interned previously with organisations like the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and a GRC based risk consulting firm WoRisGo. His areas of interest and research are international economics, trade, and foreign policy. Hritik also runs a blog called "India and the World" that seeks to highlight the relationship and position of India in the world but also the effect of the rest of the world on India.
Passionate about: Music (background scores, classic rock, many more genres) and a sports enthusiast (from football, cricket, f1 etc) and trivia in general about the world.
Sanya is a Research Analyst and currently working on urban resilience and water and climate programs. She has also worked on Feminist Foreign Policy projects. She holds a master’s degree in International Relations from University of Bath, United kingdom, where her final dissertation was entitled, “Lifting the veil of women’s participation in the world of terror: Al-Qaeda and LTTE take advantage”. She even published an article on “Taliban’s acceptance of women’s rights – reality or a façade” with The Middle East and Central Asia Research Centre. Sanya has previously worked with the Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis where she co-authored a paper on, “US-Taliban talks for Afghan peace: Complexities Galore”. Her research interests include conflict resolution, peace building and gender studies.
Passionate about: I have a strong passion for adventurous travel, particularly when it involves activities like trekking, exploring historic sites, learning about significant figures and architecture, taking long morning walks in nature, and dedicating time to spiritual activities.
Akash is a Program Manager and currently works across all our initiatives including Water, Climate and Security and Centering India in Global Futures. Akash is an analyst in Indo-Pacific geopolitics and Southeast Asian studies and has worked on inter-state defence and security relationships in the region and closely examines the Indian foreign policy, more particularly Quad and ASEAN engagements. Akash has experience with a number of think tanks, including the Indian defence ministry affiliated Manohar Parrikar IDSA, where he closely worked on border security in context to India-Myanmar relationship, and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. He has written for, and quoted by many national and international newspapers, vernacular media, and think tank forums on Indo-Pacific issues. He has studied journalism and international relations, and takes a keen interest in non-traditional security issues such as urban water and narcotics proliferation. He has maintained close connections with strategic community in and outside India through regular dialogue on changing global security environment. He was one among ten researchers invited and sponsored by the French defence ministry for an Indo-Pacific seminar organised at Pacific islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu. He has also worked in corporate security for the Asia region, more specifically Myanmar and Southeast Asia.
Passionate about: He likes to travel with his camera whenever possible, although his itinerary typically includes historical architecture, natural landscape, and city life experiences. He is perpetually fascinated by cinematic arts, and is generally willing to binge-watch films and shows on war and politics.