During the period April 2008-March 2009, the Indian Council of World Affairs organized the following events successfully:

i)          Lectures                                                          -          07
ii)         Seminars/Conferences                                  -          09
iii)        Bilateral dialogues                                         -          06
iv)         Background briefings, Book Release/
              Panel Discussions  And other events          -          14

                                                                        Total     -          36

The events were very well attended. A list of all the events mentioned above is attached. [Annexure-I]

2. During the period, the ICWA signed Six MoUs for bilateral cooperation with:

            1. Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.
            2. New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Wellington.
            3. Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) Melbourne
            4. The Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) Abu Dhabi
            5. Asia Centre, Bangalore
            6. Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) Chandigarh

3. The Council hosted the following foreign dignitaries during the year:

            (1)    H.E. Mr. Christoffel Braendli, President of the Upper House of the Swiss
                     Parliament - 13 August, 2008
            (2)    H.E. Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The People’s Republic
                     of China - 9 Sept. 2008
            (3)    Hon’ble Stephen Smith, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs - 11 Sept. 2008
            (4)    Mr. Fritz Schramma, Lord Mayor of Cologne -17 Nov. 2008
            (5)    Dr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States-2-3 Dec. 2008
            (6)    H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda -19 Jan. 2009
            (7)    Mr. Bolat Nurgaliev, Secretary General, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
                      -26 Feb. 2009

ICWA sponsored a Joint Study between India-Central Asia Foundation (ICAF), ICWA and Deptt. of International Relations, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan on “Contemporary Process of Political Modernization: Experience of Central Asian States and India”.

ICWA Research Fellows regularly participated in seminars and contributed papers/lectures in various reputed journals.

ICWA’s journal ‘India Quarterly’ was brought out regularly during the period of this Report. Four issues of ‘India Quarterly’ namely: January-March 2008; April-June 2008 and July-September 2008, October-December, 2008.

Following CSCAP-related events were organized from April 2008 to November 2008

1. CSCAP SGM on Facilitating of Maritime Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific held in      Seoul from April 2-3, 2008

2. CSCAP SGM on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons and Mass Destruction in the Asia      Pacific held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam during May 26-27, 2008

3. 29th SCM held in Kuala Lumpur from June 2, 2008

4. 22nd Asia Pacific Round Table Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur from May 2-5, 2008

5. 4th Meeting of Energy Security held in Brunei from July 8-9, 2008

6. CSCAP SGM on Export Control Experts Group held in Manila, Philippines from
    August 24-26, 2008

7. 3rd ARF Experts and Eminent Persons (EEPs) Meeting held in Beijing, China from
     November 13-15, 2008

8. 30th Steering Committee Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand from January 22, 2009.

9. CSCAP Review Committee Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand from January 21, 2009.

10. CSCAP SGM on CPWMD held in Bangkok, Thailand from January 23-24, 2009.

11. CSCAP Study Group Meeting on Climate Change held in Manila, Philippines from
       February, 14-16, 2009.

Library environment has been improved and its membership is on the increase. The membership has grown to 602 from last year’s 289. The ambience, look and feel of the library has been greatly enhanced attracting more members. Reference queries are being received on a day to day basis from American Centre, British Council, India International Centre, Teen Murti, Secretariat and various other renowned libraries. Chief correspondents of prestigious newspapers have been visiting library for information. 600 books on key issues in International affairs and foreign policies pertaining to Africa, South Asia, Central, East and West Asia have been added so far. About 250 research scholars from reputed Indian Institutions and Universities subscribed to the library and referred to the books, periodicals and press clippings available in the library. Key Government Officials have utilized and applauded the library services. Various systems are being streamlined. Additional measures for modernising the library are being processed.

ICWA continued to develop as a think tank and an important platform for foreign affairs discussions in India in the above period.