T.S. Vishwanath has expertise in analysing multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, global
economic policies, and regulatory frameworks over three decades. A trusted advisor to both
government and industry, he has an in-depth understanding of competitiveness and policy dynamics
across sectors. His leadership roles at ASL-Legal and the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), coupled
with his extensive engagement with government departments and international organisations, make
him a key strategist in navigating trade and regulatory challenges. With a rich background as a
former Senior Director at CII and a trade policy expert, Vishwanath brings the strategic vision and
stakeholder engagement capabilities essential for driving successful projects.

Manish Sharma brings extensive experience in policy advisory, regulatory frameworks, and government affairs, having worked with leading organisations such as Garware Technical Fibres, Fortis Hospital Group, Vedanta Limited, Jindal Steel & Power, and Reliance Industries. In his client-facing role, Manish excels at identifying new areas for advocacy, finding innovative solutions to challenges, and engaging effectively with government stakeholders. His deep expertise spans diverse industries, including chemicals, environment, pharmaceuticals, and science & technology, where he has successfully navigated complex regulatory landscapes. Known for fostering innovation and sustainability, Manish’s strategic insights and ability to build meaningful government relationships make him a critical asset to the team.

Laxmi Vishwanath is a Chartered Accountant with close to thirty years of experience. She has worked on audits and financial analysis for some large corporates and CA firms. For about a decade, she specialised in trade remedial measures, including anti-dumping and safeguards, bringing valuable financial and regulatory insights to VeK.

Abhilasha Nayal is a results-driven Policy Research Associate with a robust biotechnology and scientific research foundation, developed at esteemed institutions such as AIIMS, TERI SAS, and NII. Her deep expertise in genetic regulation, immunology, and vaccine development is complemented by strong data analysis and project management skills, enabling her to address intricate policy challenges through a scientific lens. At VeK, Abhilasha leverages her technical acumen to craft evidence-based policy recommendations that seamlessly bridge innovation and actionable strategy. Her collaborative mindset and commitment to driving impactful outcomes make her an indispensable asset in advancing initiatives in healthcare, sustainability, and technology.

Anil Gupta is the backbone of the team’s operations, adept at managing activities and ensuring smooth office administration. With expertise in establishing processes for office functions and institutional engagement, he ensures that the team operates efficiently and effectively. Anil’s administration and due diligence skills enable him to maintain a well-structured workflow, allowing the team to focus on achieving their strategic objectives. His organisational abilities and attention to detail make him an indispensable support system, ensuring the team’s initiatives are executed seamlessly.

With over 30 years of India-centric, international experience, Ratika Jain brings extensive expertise in strategic public affairs, policy analysis and advocacy and stakeholder engagement across diverse sectors. Adept at navigating complex regulatory environments, she has a proven track record of crafting impactful advocacy strategies, building consensus, and fostering partnerships between government, industry, and civil society. Ratika is committed to advancing sustainable growth and positive societal impact. She has held senior roles including Lead for Strategy & Corporate Relations for India at Rio Tinto, Chief Executive at the Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA), Executive Director at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Chief of Staff to the Chairman at Bharti Enterprises, and Director of Research Partnerships at Imperial College London.

Adhiraj Gupta brings a robust analytical acumen to public policy research, underpinned by a steadfast commitment to evidence-based insights and strategic problem-solving. His work spans critical areas such as urban social protection, civic engagement, and regulatory frameworks, where his proficiency in data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and field research transforms complex challenges into actionable policy solutions. A Public Policy & Governance postgraduate from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Hyderabad, Adhiraj employs meticulous data gathering and comprehensive literature reviews to inform his initiatives. His continuous pursuit of learning and incorporation of diverse perspectives ensure that his contributions remain both innovative and grounded in rigour.

Gunja Kapoor is a researcher and professional with over 15 years of experience across finance, policy research, and education initiatives. An engineer by training and a graduate of the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), she began her professional career in the financial sector. She worked as an Investment Analyst with CRISIL and Everstone Capital, where she was involved in financial analysis, research, and investment evaluation. Over the years, she has been actively engaged in policy interventions in MSMEs, emerging areas such as financial technology, ease of doing business, data privacy and artificial intelligence. Gunja Kapoor has also been involved in initiatives that use digital technologies to expand access to knowledge and opportunities, particularly for individuals and communities with limited digital access. Her work in education and skill development is driven by the belief that education and technological access play a crucial role in strengthening India’s growth and development

Aman Singh brings a sharp analytical mind and expertise in data-driven storytelling to the team, with a strong focus on trade data, bilateral trade, and SPS/TBT issues. His ability to analyse complex datasets and extract meaningful insights helps translate intricate trade and economic data into clear, impactful narratives. His knack for weaving data-based narratives ensures that even the most complex information is accessible and actionable.

Suman has over 16 years of experience in strategic communications and policy advocacy. He has driven and delivered award-winning campaigns, helped with developing and scaling integrated business-value communications programmes, and led advocacy projects in multi-stakeholder global business environment. Suman specialises in leadership communications, policy and advocacy campaigns, editorial engagement, issues and risk, market entry and investments, and digital-first strategic communications curated for Fortune 100 CXOs, government heads, founders, and thought leaders. His client partnerships include Amazon, Microsoft, Walmart, SoftBank, Scottish Government, Invest India, Godrej Group, Nokia, Salesforce, and Tata Group. Suman studied Advertising & Public Relations at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi, complemented by an Executive Management Program from Cornell University.

Garvita is an Associate at VeK, specialising in nutrition and public health. She holds an M.Sc. in Applied Nutrition from the ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. Her research experience includes work at the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare on anaemia among women of reproductive age, and at ICMR–NIN on microbial food safety and contamination. Garvita brings scientific rigour, analytical precision, and strong capabilities in nutrition science, public health assessment, and data-driven policy analysis. She previously interned with VeK and now contributes to our research and advisory work as a full-time Associate.

Saloni Goyal brings a deep understanding of trade and international relations, with expertise in interpreting Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and analysing their implications. She excels at forming narratives for data-based advocacy, ensuring that complex trade dynamics are effectively communicated to diverse stakeholders. Saloni’s insights into trade relations between nations, the balance of trade, and the concepts of competitive and absolute advantage enable her to craft compelling arguments that highlight key opportunities and challenges. Her ability to bridge data analysis with strategic storytelling makes her a vital contributor to the team’s efforts to shape impactful trade policies and foster stronger global partnerships.

An expert in trade data, economic analysis, and policy research, Suresh P. Singh plays a vital role in translating complex economic insights into actionable policy recommendations.  His ability to interpret trade dynamics and regulatory impacts ensures that VeK’s strategies are well-grounded in evidence. With a strong foundation in research and research-based advocacy, Suresh excels in crafting compelling arguments grounded in evidence, enabling the team to navigate debates and discussions effectively.