Himachal Pradesh University
  • हिमाचल प्रदेश विश्वविद्यालय
  • Himachal Pradesh University
  • Himachal Pradesh University
A State Government University Accredited with 'A' grade by NAAC

Department of Political Science

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Curriculum Vitae
  • Professor
  • 0177-2833844
  • harish.070@gmail.com

Prof. Harish K. Thakur

Department of Political Science

Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.

Basic Details

Qualification Details

BA Hons. (Political Science), MA, MPhil. Ph.D.

Positions Held

Additional work/administrative assignments:

  • Working as Director at the Centre for Canadian Studies, HPU Shimla since November 2018.
  • Working as Chairman, Department of Defence& Strategic Studies, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla since July 2020.
  • Currently Professor and Chairman in the Department of Political Science, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla.
  • Remained Chairman in the Department of Political Science, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla from April 2016 to April 2018.
  • Editor: Himachal Pradesh University Journal: Humanities and Social Sciences since November 2017.
  • Editor: Conifers Call: Shimla Journal of Poetry & Criticism since November 2017

Area Specialization

Foreign Policy, State Politics, Tribal Studies

Teaching Research Experience

30 years

More Detail

Published Works 17 Books, More than 106 research papers, book reviews and critical essays  

Books:

  1. Sardar Patel: An Icon of India’s Unity, New York: Routledge, 2025. DOI: 10.4324/9781003329497
  2.  Democracy, Multiculturalism and Security: Indo-Canadian Relations under the Shadow of  Khalistan. Jaipur, Rawat Publication, 2025. https://www.rawatbooks.com/cultural-studies/democracy-multiculturalism-and-security-indo-canadian-relations-under-the-shadow-of-khalistan
  3. Tribes of Ladakh: The Beda Estrangement. New Delhi: Khama Publications, 2021. https://www.flipkart.com/tibes-ladakh-beda-estrangement-survival/p/itmbe7ee90e2efa4
  4. Research Methods in Social Sciences. New Delhi: Corvette 2021. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harish-Thakur/publication/377612788_Social_Science_Research/links/65afb2988c1a4a6d1d1b6020/Social-Science-Research?__cf_chl_tk=WDWPDYucg8XL3POu_qKSgDsYtY6aq0yh9zspkuz8axI-1757583970-1.0.1.1-mdH9aj2mSwOnIl7NZOXSnWw7hydVZVxRpqhOUWM1_Go
  5. Gandhi, Nehru and Globalization, (Ed.), New Delhi: Concept Publications 2010. https://www.amazon.in/Gandhi-Nehru-Globalization-Thakur-Harish/dp/8180696847 
  6. Ladakh: The Individuality vs State, New Delhi: Manas, 2014.   https://www.academia.edu/104144021/LADAKH_THE_INDIVIDUALITY_VS_STATE
  7.  Alienation and Integration in Jammu & Kashmir, Jaipur, Alekh  Publishers,2000. https://www.academia.edu/105250084/ALIENATION_AND_INTEGRATION_IN_JAMMU_AND_KASHMIR
  8.  Globalization and Human Rights, (Ed.), New Delhi, Radha Publications, 2007.  https://www.amazon.in/Globalization-Rights-Harish-Rajinder-Chauhan/dp/8174875263
  9.  Songs of Stars, New Delhi: Anamika Publication 2018. https://www.amazon.in/Songs-Stars-Harish-K-Thakur/dp/8179759210
  10. The Subaltern, New Delhi: Anang Prakashan, 2019.
  11. Candle in the Storm, Palampur, Poetcrit Publications, 1999. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/002198940003500303
  12.  In the Kingdom of the Dead, Calcutta: Writers Workshop, 1999. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/002198940003500303
  13. The Sun Lyre, Orissa, Home of Letters, 2001.
  14. Confessions, Orissa, Home of Letters, 2002.
  15. Silent Flows Danube, New Delhi: Radha Publications, 2008.
  16.  Nature Psalms, Conifer Publications, Shimla, 2011.
  17. Raat Ki Kalam Se, Chandigarh, IICCA, 2007.

 

Books Translated – From English to Hindi

  1. Ukta Moe (Uzbekisatn), Viraha Ki Vedna, Chandigarh, IICCA, 2010                                                            

 

Editor: 

 

Research Projects completed- 4

  •  ICSSR sponsored major research project entitled Inter-Regional Divergence in Jammu & Kashmir: A Study of Ladakh Region (4 lac), Awarded in March 2010 & completed in March 2012
  •  ICSSR sponsored major project Surviving a People and Culture: A Study of   Beda Tribe in Ladakh, awarded in March 2013, completed in December 2014, (8 Lac)
  •  ICSSR sponsored major research project under progress Changpas of Ladakh: A Study in Continuity and Change awarded in Dec, 2014, submitted Dec. 2016. (9 Lac)
  • Adaptation, Extinction and Tribal Identity: A Study of Garra Tribe of Ladakh, ICSSR sponsored major project- 6 lakhs, Awarded in March 202, submitted in April 2024.

Seminars Organized

  •  Convenor- ICSSR sponsored national Seminar- Sardar Patel’s Contribution towards Modern India, March 27, 2017.
  •  Organizing Secretary: UGC sponsored National Seminar,  Individual and State: An Exploration into Modern Indian Political Thought,  A UGC sponsored National Seminar held at Govt. Post Graduate College Mandi, HP  w.e.f. November14 to 15, 2004.
  •  Convenor:  UGC sponsored national Seminar, Corporate Social Responsibility and Good Governance, June30-July 31, 2012 held at RKMV, Shimla, 171001.
  •  Convenor: ICSSR sponsored national seminar, March 23, 2017, Sardar Patel’s Contribution towards Modern India, Held at HP University Shimla.
  •  Convenor: ICSSR sponsored National Seminar on India’s Foreign Policy: The Emerging Challenges, March 24, 2018, Held at HP University, Shimla, 171005.
  •  Coordinator: Gandhian Legacy at 150. September 16 to October 2, 2020.
  • Coordinator: United Nations and the Traditions of Peace. October 24, 2020.
  •  Convenor, National Seminar on Tribes of Himachal Pradesh: Understanding the Modernity, Identity and Belonging, October 15, 2025, March 25, 2025.
  •  Convenor, National Seminar on The Issue of Restrcturing & Effectiveness, October 24, 2021.
  •  Convenor, ICSSR sponsored two day National Seminar on India’s National Security: Military Challenges, Management and Responses, September 2&3, 2022.
  •  Convenor- ICSSR sponsored national Seminar- Sardar Patel’s Contribution towards Modern India, March 27, 2017.
  • Convenor, National Seminar on India and Canada: Diversity, Democracy and Multiculturalism, March 24, 2023.
  •  Convenor, National Seminar on India and South Asia: Understanding the Border as a Hindrance, March 27, 2023
  • Convenor, National Seminar on India’s G20 Presidency and the Global Vision, June, 2023.

 

 

International Conferences Attended (About twenty)

  •  October 22 to 26, 2007, Attended International Writers Conference at Belgrade, Serbia as part of Indian Writers Delegation in 2007.
  • October 25-27, 2008, Attended International Roma Union Conference, Zagreb, Croatia in 2008.
  •  Indian Diaspora and the Gypsy Culture in Europe, Invited for paper presentation at International seminar on Gypsy art and Culture in Europe, held at Caceres, El Brocence , Spain in Feb. 2011.
  • Theories of Roma Origins: A Millennium Long Efflux, 2012.Paper accepted for presentation at Mansfield College, Oxford University.
  • Theories of Roma Origins and the Bengal Linkage, A Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Human and Social Science ICHSS 2013,  held by MCSSR, La Sapienza University Rome, Italy  in Sep. 2013 (20-22 Sep. 2013).
  •   The Roma Rights and the Refugee Question in Europe, International Conference held at Paris, December 26, to 28, 2017.
  • Understanding the Psychology behind Trusteeship of Gandhi, International Conference on “ Sustainable Development and, Gandhian Legacy and Twenty First Century Challenges”, held by Department of Gandhian Studies, Panjab University Chandigarh, March 9-10, 2018.
  • Interrogating the Success Narrative of Twenty First Century,  International Conference on “Opportunity and Challenges of Twenty First century”, Organised by Rajiv Gandhi Degree College, Shimla, 171004.
  •  Locating Kautilaya in Indian Strategic Culture, National Conference at IIAS, Shimla, July 8-9, 2019)

Invited Lectures

  •  Valedictory Speech, National Seminar on Deendayal Upadhayay, Department of DDU, Central University Dharamshalla, HP. March 19, 2024.
  •  Keynote Speech, The Legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Negotiating the Vision and Challenges of Twenty First Century Bharat, April 24, 2025, ICSSR sponsored National Seminar held by Department of Political Science, DAV College, Chandigarh- Sector 10.
  •  Keynote Speaker, Rajiv Gandhi Government College, Chaura Maidan, Shimla. The Twenty First Century Challenges, the social the economic and the ecological. October 22, 2016.
  •  Delivered invited lectures at University of Kerala, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Punjab University, University of Delhi, Jammu University, HNB Srinagar, Central University Dharamshalla,  University of Allahabad, Ambedkar University U.P., Tripura University, Himalayan University Dehradun.

 

National Conferences (About thirty-five)

 

Research Papers, Articles and Review Essays

 

  • Thakur, H. K., et.al. (2025). The Dynamics of State Politics in Himachal Pradesh: Understanding the Transition from Congress Dominance to the Alternating Power System. India Review (T&F), 24(3), 301–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/14736489.2025.2514968
  • Thakur, H. K. (2024). Right to self-determination in international law: a case of Khalistan. Commonwealth Lawyer (Journal of the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, London), Vol 34, No 3. https://www.academia.edu/127469482/The_Right_to_Self_Determination_in_International_Law_The_Case_of_Khalistan_
  • Thakur, H. K., et.al (2025). India Canada relations and the Khalistan Challenge. Himachal Pradesh University Journal: Humanities & Social Sciences, June 2025, 13(1).
  •  Thakur, H. K., et.al (2025). Sacred Authority and Social Order: Myths, Deities, and Traditional Power Institutions in Kinnaur. Social Change, 55(4), pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/00490857251386158
  •  Thakur, H. K. (2024). Restoring Multilateralism: the challenge from global south and the rising minilaterals. The Round Table, (T&F) 113(6):556-581.

DOI: 10.1080/00358533.2024.2439673

  • Thakur, H. K. (2025). Iron, Identity, and Indigenous Knowledge: A Study of Garrā Tribe in Ladakh. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 10 (5), 343–348. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n5.038
  • Thakur, H. K. (2023). Contesting China in the Maldives: India’s foreign policy challenge. The Round Table, (T&F) 112(4), 421–437. https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2023.2244286
  • Thakur, H. K. (2023). Understanding global civility: an analysis of ‘Constructal Law’ in Michael Takac’s Vision. Himachal Pradesh University Journal: Humanities & Social Sciences,, Vol. 12 No. 2 December 2024, 245-257. https://www.hpuniv.ac.in/hpuniv/upload/uploadfiles/files/hpuj%20journal-1.pdf
  • Thakur, H. K. (2023). Restoring the silenced voice of the Beda tribe in Ladakh, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. 58, Issue No. 3, 21 Jan, 2023.
  • Thakur, H. K. (2023). Social exclusion and the question of Garra identity in Ladakh, Phalanx: A Quarterly Review for Continuing Debate, Vol-18, No-2, April - June, 2023 (UGC Care Listed Journal) ISSN: 2320-769879.  Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371811966_SOCIAL_EXCLUSION_AND_THE_QUESTION_OF_GARRA_IDENTITY_IN_LADAKH [accessed Nov 22 2024].
  • Thakur, H.K. & Panwar, R. (2022). Rivers, geostrategy and the state sovereignty: Understanding the Kalapani dispute and its geopolitical implications for India and Nepal. Kurdish Studies, Volume: 10, No: 1, pp 204-212. (Scopus journal)
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2017). India’s Foreign Policy towards China under the New BJP Regime, Journal of Polity and Society, 2017, Vol. 9 No. 1..
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2022). Dealing with Covid 19: A Comparative study of the Brazilian and the Indian experience, Journal of Polity and Society. Vol. 14 No. 1 (2022).
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2022). Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022, A trendsetter for 2024 General Elections, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. 58, Issue No. 20, 20 May, 2023.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2025). India–Pakistan Ceasefire: Implications For The Regional And Global Order – Analysis. Eurasia Review, May 19, 2025.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2019). The populist trend in 2019 General Elections in India: the case of Himachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Political Science. January-April 2021.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2018). The evading solution to the refugees question today: a case of Roma in Europe. The Journal of Macro-Trends in Social Science, (Texas), 3 (1), 47-61.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2022). Covid 19 and the federal inconveniences: a comparative study of the US, and the Indian experience, International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, Volume 05 Issue 07 July 2022. DOI: 10.47191/ijsshr/v5-i7-27
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2011). Theories of Roma origins:  a study in the millennium long efflux. Man in India, An International Journal of Anthology, Vol. 91, No. 3-4, July-December, 2011, New Delhi.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2020). Understanding the India China Border Fiasco: The Unfair Timing and the Befitting Reply. Globkult. Iablis, (Germany). September 23, 2020.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2013). Theories of the Roma Origins and the Bengal Linkage, MCSSR Journal of Social Science Research, Rome, Italy, 2013.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2017). The Question of Refugees: A Study of Roma in Europe. Macro-trends Journal of Social Science, Texas, USA, 2017.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2011). Indian Diaspora and the Question of Roma Rights. Clio, Calcutta, Dec. 2011.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2019). Gandhian Economics in Twenty First Century: An Appreciation. University Weekly, October, 2019.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2018). Shimla Water Crisis Symptomizes a Greater Malaise. International Journal of Science and Research, (IJSR), Vol. 7, No 12, December 2018.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2016). India’s foreign policy under Modi Regime. Political Discourse, Vol 2, No1, June 2016.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2019). The Problems of Social Science Research in India, Third Concept, Vol.33 No..388, June 2019.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2018). New Leadership in Himachal Pradesh Ends the Dominance of Two Clans. Economic & Political Weekly. vol 53, No 12, March 24, 2018.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2018). India Foreign Policy under BJP. Kerala University Journal of Politics, 2018.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2018). Interpreting the Romani Music: An Indian Perspective, a paper acknowledged by INALCO Project R.E.D.-RROM, Prof. Marcel Courthiade, Section d'étudesrromani (Asie du Sud),  (center de responsability 1103R), 2 RUE DE LILLE, F-75343 PARIS Cedex 07.
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2018). South Asia, Central Asia and the US in Sino-Indian relations. Journal of Asian Politics, 1 (1), 94-106
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2025). Operation Sindoor: Edge of conflict: strategic implications of India’s reprisal strike on Pakistan (Friday, May 9, 2025). Eurasia Review. A Journal of Analysis and News (Europe).
  •  Thakur, Harish K.  (2025). Pahalgam Terror attack: a defining moment for India (May 2, 2025). Eurasia Review. A Journal of Analysis and News (Europe).
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2024). The New Delhi-Moscow Diplomacy and the Ukraine War, Modern Diplomacy, July 10, 2024. Link- https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/07/10/the-new-delhi-moscow-diplomacy-and-the-ukraine-war/
  •  Thakur, Harish K.  (2024). Why Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is Essential for India, Modern Diplomacy, March 16, 2024. Link- https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/03/16/why-citizenship-amendment-act-caa-is-essential-for-india/
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2024). Uttarakhand UCC Bill and its Implications, Modern Diplomacy, February 9, 2024. Link- https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/02/09/uttarakhand-ucc-bill-and-its-implications/
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2024). The Bangladesh coup: the security dilemma for India and the Indo-Pacific, Eurasia Review, September 1, 2024. Link- https://www.eurasiareview.com/01092024-the-bangladesh-coup-the-security-dilemma-for-india-and-the-indo-pacific-analysis/
  •   Thakur, Harish K.  (2022). Shivshankar Menon, Choices: inside the making of India's foreign policy, Himachal Pradesh University Journal: Humanities & Social Sciences, Vol. 10, No. 2, December, 2022. Link- https://hpuniv.ac.in/hpuniv/upload/uploadfiles/files/HPU_Journal_December_2022_Final.pdf
  • Thakur, Harish K. (2023). The uncertain world: The opportunities, the choices and the Indian strategy, Himachal Pradesh University Journal: Humanities & Social Sciences, Vol. 11, No. 2, December, 2023. Link- HPUJ December 2023. https://www.hpuniv.ac.in/hpuniv/upload/uploadfiles/files/Final-HPUJ-December-2023-with-title.pdf   pp. 148-154.
  •   Thakur, Harish K. (2024) India and China: building bridges amidst rivalries, Himachal Pradesh University Journal: Humanities & Social Sciences, Vol. 12, No. 1, June, 2024. Link- HPUJ June 2024. https://www.hpuniv.ac.in/innerpage/humanities-and-social-sciences.php     pp. 209-214.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2020). Biden, Modi and the Malabar Exercise 2020. Modern Diplomacy. EU. November 25, 2020.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2020). India, Saudi Arabia and the Riyal 20: The intent and the repercussions. Modern Diplomacy. EU. November 11, 2020.
  •  Thakur, Harish K. (2020). Nagorno-Karabakh: The Interplay of Community, Ambition and Strategy. EU. Modern Diplomacy. October 13, 2020.
  •   Thakur, Harish K. (2020). The New Axis, the Mapolitics and South Asia: The Indian View. EU. Modern Diplomacy.  August 10, 2020.

 

Newspapers/Newsletters      

Besides these important publications articles have been published in The Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Indian Express, The New Indian Express, The Quint, Mint and in the European Newsletters Eurasia Review and Modern Diplomacy.

 

Other academic engagements: 

  • President: Shimla Literary Society.
  • Commissioner for Political Participation, World Roma Organization, Rromanipen, Zagreb, Croatia.
  • Member of Selection Committees of various universities- Delhi University, DAV New Delhi, HNB Central University, Srinagar, Uttrakhand; Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, MDU Rohtak, Kurukshetra University, Haryana, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Jammu University, Jammu.
  • Member of Indian Political Science Association.
  • Member of Research Degree Committees and Board of Studies in various universities, Vidya Peeth University, Kashi, Uttar Pradesh, HNB Central University, Srinagar, Uttrakhand ; Punjabi University Patiala; Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, MDU Rohtak, Kurukshetra University, Haryana, Central University, Leh, UT Ladakh,
  • Inter-University Centre Research Associate at IIAS Shimla for six terms.
  • Resource person and invited speaker at different universities’ Lecture Series, Workshops and UGC HRDC programmes.

Additional work/administrative assignments:

  • Director at the Centre for Canadian Studies, HPU Shimla from November 2018 to October 2023.
  • Chairman, Department of Defence & Strategic Studies, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla form July 2020 to October 2023.
  • Professor and Chairman in the Department of Political Science, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla (April 29, 2016 to 2018; April 29, 2020 to April 29, 2022).
  • Editor: Himachal Pradesh University Journal: Humanities and Social Sciences since November 2017.
  • Editor: Conifers Call: Shimla Journal of Poetry & Criticism since November 2017.

 

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