My PhD explores varied forms of  international engagements and their impact on political settlements in fragile and conflict affected states. In exploring international engagements, I seek to look into converges, divergences, and competition on norms and forms of engagement of emergent powers (India and China) to that of international liberal peacebuilding projects in conflict affected states (Myanmar and Nepal).   

My PhD is a part of DFID funded Political Settlements Research Programme (PRSP): www.politicalsettlements.org. Currently, I hold Civil Society Scholars Award (CSSA)/Open Society Foundations for the year 2018-2019.
I have done fieldwork in Myanmar, Nepal, China and India. 

Previously I have worked at London-based FIA Foundation and at Asia Foundation in Nepal. I have been a fellow at New Delhi based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

My peer-reviewed articles are:

Adhikari M. 2020. ‘Breaking the Balance: Impact of Peacekeeping on civil-military relations’, International Peacekeeping. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13533312.2020.1733422)

Adhikari M. 2018. India in South Asia: Interaction with liberal peacebuilding projects, India Quarterly, 74(2):160–178 

Adhikari, M. 2014. Politics and Perception of Indian aid to Nepal, Strategic Analysis, 38 (3): 325-340.

Additional writings include:

Ending the Political Transition? Analysing the Nepal elections from an inclusion perspective, Political Settlement Research Programme blog, January 18, 2018
http://www.politicalsettlements.org/2018/01/18/ending-the-political-transition-analysing-the-nepal-elections-from-an-inclusion-perspective/

Myanmar’s Twin Transitions: Challenges and Choices, Political Settlement Research Programme blog, August 31, 2017 http://www.politicalsettlements.org/2017/08/31/myanmars-twin-transitions-challenges-and-choices/