Abhay A.

Rajas Purandare holds an M.A. (Hons.) in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Mumbai, with a B.A. in Political Science and Economics. He has experience across geopolitical risk, strategic research, and policy analysis, having worked with WoRisGo, Kawach Organisation, and Indic Researchers Forum. He currently works as a Geopolitical Risk Intelligence Intern at the Sir Syed Centre for International Relations and Risk Analysis.

Lieutenant General A B Shivane, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), is an NDA alumnus and a second-generation Armoured Corps officer with over 39 years of distinguished military service in key staff and command roles. He is the former Strike Corps Commander and Director General of Mechanised Forces. He also served as a Military Observer in the UN mission in Guatemala. As a scholar-warrior, he has authored over 350 publications on national security, geopolitics, defence technology, doctrines, and defence matters, as well as five books, and is an internationally renowned keynote speaker. The General was a consultant to the Ministry of Defence (Ordnance Factory Board) after superannuation. He was the Distinguished Fellow and held the COAS Chair of Excellence at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies from 2021 to 2022. Additionally, he was a key member of the Indian Army Study Team on Technology Induction 2025. He currently serves as a strategic advisor and board member to several organisations and think tanks. He is also a strategic advisor to the private drone industry. Gen Shivane currently serves as Strategic Advisor to Centre for New Age Warfare Studies (CNAWS).

Chittari Saikrishna is a student of International Conflict Studies at the University of Ladakh. Focusing on West Asian geopolitics, his work focuses on non-state actors, security shifts surrounding Israel, and the changing nature of regional (West Asia) warfare.

Sunil Kumar Kalidindi is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sigma Advanced Systems. He is also the Co-Founder and Director of Indrajaal Drone Defence India Private Limited, reflecting his wider leadership role across India’s defence and security sector. At Sigma, Sunil is closely involved in guiding the company’s engagement with complex, mission-critical aerospace and defence programmes, ensuring a strong balance between technical ambition, disciplined execution, and long-term commercial sustainability.