Ambassador Rajiv K. Bhatia is the Director General of Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi, since June 2012. As a career diplomat, he served India with distinction for over thirty-seven years. He was India’s Ambassador/High Commissioner in Kenya, Myanmar, Mexico and South Africa. He has published over 125 articles on international affairs in India’s national dailies, journals and periodicals
Professor Meruyert Khuatovna Abusseitova has been the Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Almaty, Kazakhstan, for more than 15 years. Currently, she is Head of the Department of Oriental Sources Studies, History and Culture; and Chairperson of UNESCO Chair “Science and Spirituality”. She has authored 10 books and more than 200 articles.
Dr. Laura Gibratovna Yerekesheva is Deputy Director and Head Department of Central and South Asian Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies, Almaty, Kazakhstan. She is also UNESCO Chair Coordinator, Kazakhstan. Dr. Laura Yerekesheva is author and co-editor of three books and more than 60 research articles.
Dr. Athar Zafar is Research Fellow at Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi. He has contributed chapters to books and presented papers on Central Asia and Afghanistan at national and international seminars. He has visited the region several times and his knowledge of Persian and Tajiki helps in firsthand access to the original sources from the region.