Abhishek Dhungel

Research & Communication Intern

Abhishek Dhungel is currently serving as Research & Commincation Intern at CESIF and is a Master's student in Buddhism and Himalayan Studies. His academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of Buddhism, diplomacy, geopolitics, and the Himalayan world. He is particularly interested in examining the roles of Indian and Chinese Buddhist diplomacy in Asia, with a special focus on Nepal as a significant cultural, religious, and strategic space. His work explores how Buddhism functions not only as a spiritual and philosophical tradition, but also as a medium of soft power, cultural engagement, and transnational influence in contemporary regional politics. Through his studies, he seeks to understand how historical Buddhist networks, sacred geographies, and shared civilizational ties are being reinterpreted and mobilized by modern states in shaping diplomatic narratives and regional relations. With a strong interest in the historical and contemporary significance of Nepal in Buddhist exchange, Abhishek aims to contribute to deeper discussions on the relationship between religion, heritage, identity, and foreign policy in Asi