Imme Smits is a junior researcher at the Leiden Asia Centre and is responsible for the India portfolio. In this role, she supports research activities on India and contributes to the development and organisation of training programmes and public events. She graduated in June 2025 with a master’s degree in International Relations from Leiden University, with a focus on Indian Foreign Policy. Her master’s thesis analysed Indian Foreign Policy by looking at varṇāśramadharma and idea of order in Indian Strategic Culture.
In addition to her academic background, Imme gained professional experience in India through an internship at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Delhi, where she worked at the Political Affairs, Public Diplomacy and Culture department. She has also served as a Political Researcher for Track India at The West Wing, the youth think tank of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With a living and working experience in India, she brings strong on-the-ground insight into local and stakeholder dynamics, and policy contexts. She combines this practical experience with strategic foresight, network building, and policy-oriented research. In doing so, she effectively bridges local knowledge with international cooperation and future-oriented initiatives.