C. Raja Mohan has been appointed as the Director and Professor of the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University, focusing on enhancing India-U.S. relations.
WASHINGTON, DC – The O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has announced the appointment of C. Raja Mohan as the Director and Professor of its Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies (MJIAS). The announcement was made on September 21.
Raja Mohan, a noted scholar in foreign policy and strategic affairs, will lead the institute’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the relationship between India and the United States.
MJIAS was established at JGU with a generous endowment from philanthropist and venture capitalist Asha Jadeja Motwani. The institute’s mission is to foster deeper ties between India and the U.S., reflecting Motwani’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations, which has included support for various political initiatives.
Under Raja Mohan’s leadership, the institute will focus its research on critical areas such as defense, technology, and energy. Plans include the publication of research papers, a series titled ‘Focus on America,’ and the establishment of fellowships and mentorship programs for emerging scholars from both nations.
Additionally, MJIAS aims to create The America Roundtable, a closed-door forum designed for experts and leaders to discuss pressing issues. The institute will also host the annual Motwani India-U.S. Dialogue in India and the Motwani Forum in the United States, with the inaugural event scheduled for 2027.
Raja Mohan brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in academia and public policy, having worked in India, Singapore, and the United States. He previously served as the founding Director of Carnegie India and held the position of Director at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. His teaching experience includes roles at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University.
He has also held the prestigious Henry Alfred Kissinger Chair in International Affairs at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and has been a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. Raja Mohan holds a master’s degree in nuclear physics and a Ph.D. in international relations.
Commenting on his new role, Raja Mohan stated, “The India-U.S. relationship is undergoing a profound transformation amid new challenges and possibilities in a changing global order.”
This appointment marks a significant step for JGU as it seeks to enhance its academic offerings and contribute to the discourse on international relations, particularly between India and the United States, according to India West.