Is a scholar of Sinology, International Politics, Political Philosophy, and Comparative Religion, with expertise in power analysis, China’s foreign policy, and the Kautilyan perspective. He has developed and taught a wide range of courses, including Nationalism, Political Ideas Across Civilisations, and Science and Religion: Conflict vs. Coexistence.
Dr. Sarmah was a Network for Advanced Study of China (NASC) Fellow at the Takshashila Institution. He conducted an Introduction to Chinese Studies course for the Swayam Prabha DTH Channel at IIT Kanpur. His doctoral research, titled Soft Power in China’s Foreign Policy: Public Diplomacy and Confucius Institutes, 2004–2013, highlights his deep understanding of China’s contemporary foreign policy mechanisms.
Dr. Sarmah earned his PhD, MPhil, and MA from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and his BA from DHSK College, Dibrugarh University, with additional devotional training at ISKCON. He was the recipient of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Merit Award (2008–09). As an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab (2017–22), he designed innovative courses applying a comparative civilisational lens to political analysis.
His publications include:
- Transition of the PRC from Mao to Market: An Analysis of the Political Dynamics in the Chinese Communist Party-State (1976–1989)
- Causes of the Failure of Camp David Talks 2000
- Illegal Immigration and Insurgency in Assam: Understanding the Role of Bangladesh and Their Impact on India’s Strategic Interest in the Region
- China’s Soft Power Dilemma
- What is a Valid Query and What is a Self-Evident Truth? A Critical Analysis.