Seminar Report
on
‘INDIA – ASEAN RELATIONS: THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PEDIGREE TO THE ACT EAST POLICY’
Venue; Senate Hall, University of Kerala, Trivandrum
Date; 13/14 November 2018
Submitted to
Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi
Submitted by
Society for Social Empowerment, New Delhi
Seminar Report
Two day National Seminar on India- ASEAN relations: The Historical and Cultural Pedigree to Act East Policy. The Seminar was inaugurated by Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, the former diplomat and Executive Vice Chairman of Kerala State Higher Education Council on 13 November 2018 at the University of Kerala Senate Chamber. Major General Vinaya Chandran, Indian Military presided over the session. He had expressed India’s concern on China’s moves in the region through economic diplomacy to military collaboration and even interference in the internal affairs of the aid recipient nations. He also stressed the need for defence collaboration with likeminded nations in the Indo-Pacific region to curb the growing threat posed by the neighboring country. Ambassador T P Sreenivasan pointed out that most of the South East Asian nations are not hostile towards China. Referring to PM Narendra Modi Shangri Law speech of June 01, 2018 he said that ASEAN has become very important to India in the Act East Policy. However, he had stressed the need for strengthening the SAARC. He also said that BIMSTEC is not an alternative to SAARC.
In addition to the inaugural and valedictory sessions there were four technical sessions and 27 research papers on different themes are presented in the two day National Seminar. The organizers of the Seminar also requested the resource persons to submit their revised paper on or before 15 January 2019 for publication.
Ms. Pragya Pandey represented ICWA in the seminar. She presented her paper and stressed the proactive ness of the government to implement Act East Policy. She opined that Act East Policy is upgraded version of LEP and it is the need of the hour. She stressed that ICWA is intended to encourage debate and discuss of issues of our foreign policy concerns.
The Ph D and M Phil research scholar and the post graduate students of the University of Kerala and the Central University of Kerala, Trivandrun city centre students also attended the national Seminar. There were 115 participants in the two day national seminar. The discussions during the National Seminar were very fruitful and the PG students and research scholar got an opportunity to interact with resource persons.
At the end of the seminar vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Suresh R. He exclusively thanked Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi for its kind sponsorship and opined that ICWA will sustain the process in foreseeable future also. He also thanked paper presenters for their hard work and dedication to ensure their participation in the seminar.
The details of individual papers are in the respective papers which is attached herewith. The two day long deliberation’s debated gamut of dynamics of India-ASEAN relations and recommended following points to be adopted and implemented by government of India
Policy Suggestions
-India must act on ASEAN
-Navy collaboration must be expanded further
-South China Sea is important for many ASEAN disputant countries. India must sustain its policy adopted by Modi government that it is disputed territory and all disputant parties including China must be adhered with relevant international laws
-Myanmar is crucial for physical connectivity with ASEAN. Road connectivity must be expedited at the earliest
-India must sustain its all-round efforts for the reconstruction of Myanmar
-to expand our cultural imprints, we must open more cultural centers in different countries of ASEAN
- trade agreements must be expediated at the earliest
- ASEAN countries perceive India as counterweight to China. Modi government has adopted these postures through proactive foreign policy. We must sustain this process to boost their expectations
- Japan has emerged as the fulcrum of Act East Policy. Japan is technologically advanced and surplus FDI to invest in the region. India and Japan must come out with joint infrastructure projects in the region and engage ASEAN countries accordingly
-India and ASEAN must act firmly in containing terrorism, cyber security, drug trafficking and natural disasters
-Science and Technology is an exclusive sector where India must extend all possible cooperation to ASEAN
-Cultural exchange process must be further emboldened
-More air connectivity must be ensured with different cities of ASEAN with Indian cities
-tourism must be further accelerated to strengthen cultural leverages
-Nalanda International University could be an excellent platform to accelerate academic cooperation with ASEAN countries
- Ease of Visa and travel procedures must be ensured from both sides
DETAILED PROGRAMME SCHEDULE OF THE TWO DAY NATIONAL SEMINAR
NATIONAL SEMINAR
India-ASEAN Relations: The Historical and Cultural Pedigree to Act East Policy
Organized by
Society for Social Empowerment, New Delhi
in association with
V.K. Krishna Menon Study Centre for International Relations, Department of Political Science, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
Date- 13/14 November 2018 Venue: - Senate Chamber, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
Day One; 13 November 2018
Inaugural Session 10 15 AM to 11 15 AM
Senate Chamber, University of Kerala
Prayer: - MA Political Science Students
Welcome Address: Dr. Suresh R, Associate Professor & Hon Director, V K Krishna Menon Study Centre for International relations, Department of Political Science, University of Kerala.
Introduction of the Seminar; Dr. Sudhir Singh, Director, Society of Social Empowerment, New Delhi
Inaugural Address:- Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, Director General, Kerala International Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Former India’s Permanent Representative to UN, Executive Vice Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council.
Presidential Address: Major General Vinaya Chandra, Directing Staff, National Defence College, New Delhi
Keynote Address: Professor (Dr) K Jayaprasad, Pro Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala State.
Vote of Thanks – Ms Aswani R S, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Policy, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun
Tea Break: 11 15 AM to 11 30 AM
Technical Session I
11.30 AM to 1.00 PM
Theme:- Evolution of India-ASEAN Relations; The Historical, Cultural and Philosophical Roots to the Partnership; Modi’s Act East Policy and India’s Cultural Roots in ASEAN.
Panelist:-
Discussion
Lunch: 1.00 P.M to 2.00 P.M.
Technical Session-II 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM.
Theme:- The China Factor in India’s policy towards ASEAN Countries; China’s Relations with ASEAN Countries: Implications for India; India’s Interests in the South China Sea
Panelists
Tea Break 4 00 PM to 4 15 PM
Discussion 4 15 PM to 5 30 PM
Day-2
14 November 2018
Technical Session III: 9.30AM to 11.30 AM
Theme:- Maritime Security and Blue Economy in India - ASEAN Relations; The Regional Security and the Role of India and ASEAN
Chairperson: Prof. Ishani Naskar, Rabindra Bharati University
Tea Break 11 30 AM to 11 45 AM
Technical Session-IV
11.45 AM to 1.00 PM
Theme: - Multiplicity in Asia & Convergences of interests between India & ASEAN.; Cultural Tourism as a Driving Force
Chairperson: Commodore R S Vasan, Chennai.
Discussion
Lunch; 1.00 PM to 2.00 PM
Valedictory Session
2 00 PM to 3 30 PM
Chairman Prof. Ganganath Jha, JNU. New Delhi
Valedictory Address Commodore R S Vasan, Regional Director National Maritime Foundation, Chennai Chapter Director Chennai Centre for China Studies, Head, Strategy and Security Studies, Center for Asia Studies Chennai
Certificate Distribution
Vote of Thanks Dr Suresh R, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Kerala
National Anthem