Tiago Botelho dos Santos is a PhD Researcher in International Studies at Iscte-University Institute of Lisbon, where he is affiliated with both the Centre for International Studies (CEI-Iscte) and the Scientific and Cultural Centre of Macau (CCCM).

Throughout his academic journey, Tiago's research has primarily focused on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its far-reaching impacts across South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. His core area of specialisation lies in China-Pakistan relations, exploring their multifaceted effects at bilateral, regional, and inter-regional levels. This focus was evident in his Master's thesis, which delved into "Sino-Pakistani Relations and the Balance of Power in the Indo-Pacific (1972-2020)".

Currently, Tiago is pursuing his doctoral thesis, titled "The Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on South Asian regional dynamics: the role of the Sino-Pakistani axis". His research aims to critically analyse how Sino-Pakistani relations, particularly within the context of the BRI and significant ventures such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), shape South Asian regional dynamics. This includes examining the foreign policy choices of smaller regional states amidst the strategic competition within the South Asian Strategic Triangle (SAST), which encompasses China, Pakistan, and India.