Diya Ashtakala

Research Associate, Project on Nuclear Issues
Diya Ashtakala

Diya Ashtakala is a research associate with the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Her research focuses on nuclear issues in South Asia, extended nuclear deterrence, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Diya is a member of the Pacific Forum Young Leaders' Program and was part of the inaugural cohort of the Nuclear Futures Fellowship, a joint program of Ploughshares and Horizon 2045. Prior to her current role, she was an intern with PONI and worked as a graduate assistant at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. She holds an MA in international affairs with a specialization in security studies from the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and a BA from St. Joseph's College, India.

Programs & Projects

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Strategic Trends 2025

In a world where old nuclear guardrails are eroding and new rivalries are converging, Strategic Trends 2025 charts how the United States and its allies must navigate a disorderly, multi-adversary nuclear landscape and rethink deterrence for an unpredictable era.

Report by Nicholas Adamopoulos, Diya Ashtakala, Doreen Horschig, Lachlan MacKenzie, Catherine Murphy, Joseph Rodgers, Bailey Schiff, Pranay Vaddi, Heather Williams, and Reja Younis — November 18, 2025

Audio Briefs

Could the Pakistani-Saudi Defense Pact Be the First Step Toward a NATO-Style Alliance?

An audio version of “⁠Could the Pakistani-Saudi Defense Pact Be the First Step Toward a NATO-Style Alliance?⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Diya Ashtakala, Doreen Horschig, and Bailey Schiff. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Diya Ashtakala, Doreen Horschig, and Bailey Schiff — October 6, 2025

Audio Briefs

Could the Pakistani-Saudi Defense Pact Be the First Step Toward a NATO-Style Alliance?

The pact reshaped regional dynamics by deepening Pakistani-Saudi ties, straining India’s balancing act, and raising questions about Israel’s air access. Despite its NATO-style language, it lacks the nuclear and political basis for true collective defense.

Critical Questions by Diya Ashtakala, Doreen Horschig, and Bailey Schiff — October 6, 2025

What Led to the Recent Crisis Between India and Pakistan?

India and Pakistan’s recent crisis highlights how rapidly tensions can escalate to a dangerous level, marking a new era of conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The region should develop off-ramps and strengthen confidence-building measures.

Critical Questions by Diya Ashtakala — May 20, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Led to the Recent Crisis Between India and Pakistan?

An audio version of “⁠⁠⁠⁠What Led to the Recent Crisis Between India and Pakistan?⁠⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS's Diya Ashtakala. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Diya Ashtakala — May 20, 2025

Audio Briefs

What Does India’s Hypersonic Missile Test Mean?

On November 16, India announced the test launch of its first long-range hypersonic missile. This missile makes India one of the few nuclear-armed countries to possess this technology, highlighting the intensifying global race for hypersonic technology.

Critical Questions by Diya Ashtakala — December 2, 2024

PONI 2024 Fall Conference

The Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) will host its 2024 Fall Conference on the two peer challenge at Stanford University on September 27th. 

Event — September 27, 2024