On September 18, 2025, Moeed W. Yusuf—former National Security Adviser of Pakistan and Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University (BNU)—visited the Pakistan Study Centre at Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies (PSC Fudan) and held a roundtable with faculty and students. Mr. Yusuf engaged in in-depth discussions on South Asia’s geopolitical and economic transformation and Pakistan’s adjustments in foreign policy. The session was chaired by Professor Zhang Jiadong, Director of the Center for South Asian Studies at the Institute of International Studies. Participants included Zhang Jiegen, Director of PSC Fudan; Associate Professor Xie Chao; Yang Yabo, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at the Tibet Academy of Social Sciences and visiting scholar at the Center for South Asian Studies; and Ma Zheng, Associate Research Fellow. Mr. Yusuf noted that South Asia faces two concurrent challenges: managing crises in a nucleararmed strategic environment and pursuing economic transformation. As “ironclad friends,” China and Pakistan should work together to promote regional stability and prosperity.

(Dr. Yusuf holds an academic discussion with IIS faculty and students.)

As a renowned expert on South Asian affairs, Mr. Yusuf has a distinguished record in both academia and government. He has held research appointments at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Brookings Institution, and in 2010 he joined the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), later serving as Associate Vice President for Asia. Beginning in 2019, he served successively as Chairperson of Pakistan’s Strategic Policy Planning Cell (SPPC) and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security and Strategic Policy Planning; in 2021, he was appointed National Security Adviser (with the rank of federal minister).

In addition to in-depth exchanges on regional issues of mutual concern, President Yusuf proposed strengthening cooperation between think tanks affiliated with Beaconhouse National University and the Institute of International Studies, expressing hope to sign a memorandum of understanding and to hold regular online and offline meetings on international and regional affairs in the future.

(Dr. Yusuf with IIS faculty and students for a group photo.)