Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is a not-for-profit, multidisciplinary public policy think tank engaged in developing and discussing policy alternatives on a wide-range of issues of national and international significance. Some of ORF's key areas of research include international relations, security affairs, politics and governance, resources management and economy and development. The fundamental objective of ORF is to influence formulation of policies for building a strong and prosperous India in a globalised world.

ORF pursues these goals by providing informed and productive inputs, in-depth research and stimulating discussions. Set up in the early 1990s during the troubled period of India’s transition from a protected economy to its new engagement with the international economic order, ORF examines critical policy problems facing the country and helps develop coherent policy responses in a rapidly changing global environment.

As an independent think tank, ORF develops and publishes informed and viable inputs for policymakers in the Government and for the political and business leadership of the country. It maintains a range of informal contacts with politicians, policymakers, civil servants, business leaders and the media, in India, and abroad. ORF publications are distributed widely to government officials and legislators, business leaders, journalists, and academics. Headquartered in New Delhi, ORF has chapters in Chennai, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. More information about the Foundation is available at its website www.orfonline.org .

 ORF Team
 

M. Rasgotra is the President of ORF Centre for International Relations. After graduating from the Govt. College, Lahore, he joined the Indian Foreign Services in September 1949. A former ambassador to many countries including the US and UK, he was the Foreign Secretary from 1982 to 1985 which was marked by a renewal in Indo-American relations, sustained negotiations with Pakistan and a tentative opening to China. Mr. Rasgotra was decorated with the Padma Bhushan award in 2002

Sunjoy Joshi is a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation where he is heading the Centre for Resource Management, specializing in Energy Studies. Mr Joshi co-authored the book Natural Gas in Asia, brought out by the Oxford Energy Institute, London. He was Visiting Associate at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, London as well as Distinguished Visitor to the Programme on Energy and Sustainable Development, University of Stanford, USA. He is presently working on programmes on “India and China: Energy Imperatives for a Changing World” and engaged in Climate Change Issues. Mr. Joshi is a former member of the Indian Administrative Service. He completed his Masters in English Literature from the Allahabad University, India, and Masters in Development Studies from the Univ. of East Angila, Norwich

Dilip Lahiri is a Distinguished Fellow at ORF Centre for International Relations. He is a former Indian diplomat, with long and diversified experience in international relations during 37 years in the Indian Foreign Service. His last posts outside India were as Ambassador to France, Spain, Peru and Bolivia. He has long experience of multilateral diplomacy, particularly in the United Nations system, and was also Dean of the Indian diplomatic school. Ambassador Lahiri has led the Indian delegation to the Rome conference establishing the International Criminal Court, and was a member of the Indian delegation to the Kyoto Conference on climate change, several sessions of the UN General Assembly, and has been involved for many years in the negotiations on the restructuring of the UN and expansion of the Security Council, in the UN Human Rights Commission and the Commission on Disarmament.

Samir Saran is a Sr. Fellow & Vice President at the ORF. He holds a Masters in Media Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is an Electrical Engineer from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. His ongoing research projects include: representation of Islam and mediation of Radicalism; Climate Change; Economic Crisis; Regulation; and the Political Economy.

Lydia Powell is a Senior Fellow at ORF Centre for Resources Management. She is managing and coordinating Research Projects on Energy, Participating in Research Projects of Energy and developing knowledge base on Energy, Editing and Developing News Letter on Energy She did MSc (Business Strategy) from Norwegian School of Management, Oslo, MBA and MSc (Physics) from Cochin University of Science & Technology and BSc (Physics) from Women's Christian College, Madras University.

Akhilesh Sati is a Junior Fellow in the ORF Centre for Resources Management. He holds a Masters degree in Statistics from the University of Delhi. In his present capacity he is assisting Senior Research Fellows by providing data and research on Energy.

Hemant Nair is a Research Consultant with the ORF. He has completed his B.A Journalism (Honours) from the Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (Delhi University) and P.G Diploma in International Relations from the University of Nottingham, U.K.