Prof. Paresh Kumar is a dynamic scholar and dedicated educator in the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Delhi. Since joining the faculty in 2017, he has contributed extensively to the study of modern Chinese politics, SinoJapanese relations, and the cultural transformations of East Asia in the postreform era.
Academic Background
Prof. Kumar earned his Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, where his dissertation examined the impact of economic liberalization on Chinas regional diplomacy. He holds a masters degree in Chinese Studies from the University of Delhi and a bachelors in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi. His fluency in Mandarin, Japanese, and Hindi enables him to engage directly with primary sources and foster multilingual research collaborations.
Research Interests
His research agenda is anchored in three interrelated themes:
- Chinas Foreign Policy: Analyses of Belt and Road Initiative, maritime disputes, and the evolving ChinaIndia dynamic.
- SinoJapanese Relations: Historical memory, security dilemmas, and economic interdependence.
- East Asian Cultural Transformations: Popular culture, digital media, and transnational identity formation.
Key Publications
Prof. Kumars work appears in leading journals and edited volumes. Selected publications include:
- Economic Liberalization and Chinas New Diplomacy, International Studies Quarterly, 2021.
- Memory and Maritime Conflict: The Senkaku/Diaoyu Dispute, Journal of East Asian Studies, 2020.
- Coedited volume East Asia in the Digital Age, Routledge, 2022.
- From Mao to Xi: Continuities in Chinese Political Culture, chapter in Contemporary China, 2023.
Teaching Contributions
In addition to his research, Prof. Kumar is highly regarded for his teaching. He regularly offers the following courses:
- AS 202: Introduction to East Asian Civilizations
- IR 311: Contemporary China Politics and Society
- EL 210: Japanese Language Intermediate
- Elective seminars on Chinese foreign policy and Asian media studies.
Students appreciate his interactive lecture style, use of primary documents, and encouragement of critical debate. Many of his mentees have gone on to pursue graduate studies at premier institutions abroad.
Professional Engagements
Prof. Kumar is an active member of several academic bodies:
- Associate Editor, South Asian Journal of International Affairs.
- Member, Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Delhi.
- Consultant for the Ministry of External Affairs on Chinarelated policy briefs.
He regularly presents papers at conferences such as the Asian Studies Association Annual Meeting, the International Conference on China Studies, and the SAARCASEAN Dialogue.
Future Projects
His upcoming research projects include a comparative study of digital nationalism in China and Japan, and a collaborative fieldwork project in the Mekong Delta examining crossborder cultural exchanges. He also plans to develop a new interdisciplinary module titled East Asia and Global Governance for senior undergraduates.
Contact Information
Department of East Asian Studies
University of Delhi
North Campus, Delhi 110007, India
Email: paresh.kumar@du.ac.in
Office: Room 312, East Asian Studies Block
