WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Indian American journalist and author Sadanand Dhume has joined the Council on Foreign Relations as a senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia. The appointment places one of the most recognized voices on South Asian affairs at one of the United States’ leading foreign policy think tanks.
The New York-based Council on Foreign Relations, commonly known as CFR, announced that Dhume will serve in its David Rockefeller Studies Program. In his new role, he will focus on South Asia’s political economy and foreign policy while contributing research and analysis on issues that affect U.S. interests in the region.
CFR leaders welcomed Dhume and highlighted his extensive experience covering South Asia.
“I am pleased to welcome Sadanand to our Studies Program,” said Shannon K. O’Neil, CFR senior vice president. “Sadanand’s distinctive experience as a reporter and scholar covering South Asia will provide integral insight into this important and dynamic region and implications for U.S. foreign policy there.”
Dhume brings decades of experience as a journalist, analyst, and public policy expert. His appointment comes at a time when South Asia continues to play a growing role in global politics, trade, and security. The region includes some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and remains central to many U.S. foreign policy discussions. Experts say stronger research and analysis on South Asia can help policymakers better understand the challenges and opportunities shaping the region.
Dhume is widely known for his biweekly “East Is East” column in The Wall Street Journal. In the column, he examines South Asian politics, economics, foreign policy, and issues affecting the South Asian diaspora around the world. Before becoming a columnist, Dhume worked as a foreign correspondent for Far Eastern Economic Review and The Wall Street Journal Asia. He reported from India and Indonesia, covering major political and economic developments.
His reporting career helped establish him as a commentator on South Asian affairs. Over the years, he has combined on-the-ground journalism with policy research and academic work. Dhume previously served as a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. He also held a fellowship at the Asia Society. In addition, he has testified before the U.S. Congress on U.S.-India relations and broader U.S. policy toward South Asia.
Dhume has written extensively about religion, politics, and social change in Asia. He is the author of “My Friend the Fanatic: Travels With a Radical Islamist,” a book that explores religious extremism and social transformation in parts of Asia.
He is also preparing to release a new book, “Tinderbox: The Unpredictable Rise and Uncertain Future of Modern India.” The upcoming work examines India’s rapid political and economic changes and the challenges that could shape the country’s future. As India continues to gain influence on the global stage, interest in expert analysis of the country has grown among policymakers, business leaders, and academics.
Beyond journalism and books, Dhume has contributed articles to several prominent publications. His work has appeared in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The National Interest, National Review, Commentary, and The Wilson Quarterly.
