EVENTS

The evolution of India's "Look East" policy of the early 1990s to "Act East" policy in 2014 marked a significant revamp in New Delhi's strategic priorities and engagements with South-East Asia and the Far-East. This metamorphosis is based on mutual respect, trust and understanding of the emerging challenges in the region, having wider ramifications in shaping the trajectory of the new world order. The cornerstones of this cooperation emphasize inclusiveness, sustainable development and cultural affinity, underpinned by the spirit of shared progress. The India-ASEAN strategic partnership epitomizes the centrality of ASEAN in India's extended neighbourhood policy, with the objective of enhancing trade and economic partnership as also expanding strategic and security cooperation along newer dimensions, infrastructure development, establishing stable-robust-reliable-resilient supply chains. This is sought to be supported by strong people-to-people contact. Such intensified collaboration serves the strategic objectives of containing China's expansionist posture, securing vital sea-trade routes, ensuring maritime security, and fulfilling India's vision of a free, open, stable, peaceful and inclusive Indo-Pacific. India's active participation in the East Asia Summit and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation along with a leadership role in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, are also significant pillars in strengthening the strategic linkages. This presentation explores the various dimensions in this strategic relationship in the context of emerging world order while assessing the evolving opportunities and complex challenges in ensuring peace, stability, and geostrategic equilibrium in the Indo-pacific and the Greater Indian Ocean Region.

Speaker

Debasis Bhattacharya is a policy analyst, and author. He is Professor of International Relations with SGT University, Gurugram. He has been the Founding Dean of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, SGT University. Previously, he has been holding positions such as Professor and Dean in various universities and higher educational institutions. Dr. Bhattacharya received his Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Oregon, USA. He received his MA in International Studies from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, USA, and MA in Economics from Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, India. He has about 27 years of total experience in teaching, research and corporate spheres in India and the USA combined. Prof. Bhattacharya has participated as Session Chairs and paper presenter in several national and international conferences held in India and the USA. Dr. Bhattacharya’s book (co-authored) titled, GST and Its Aftermath: Is Consumer Really the King?, published by SAGE Publications Inc. is a globally recognized publication that provides vital linkage among academia, industry, and public policy forums. Prof. Bhattacharya was also a Member in India Scholar Delegation to China in 2024 for Track-2 Diplomacy. Prof. Bhattacharya’s foreign policy articles have been published by prestigious foreign policy think tanks such as Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

Chair

Sandip Mishra is a Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Earlier, he worked at the University of Delhi for more than twelve years. He is also Honorary Fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS), Delhi and Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), New Delhi. He is also a Non-Resident Fellow at the Sejong Institute and Global Fellow at the Ewha Woman’s University. He completed his Master's degree in International Politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University and obtained his M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees from the same university. He studied Korean Language in Korea in 2006 and 2010 at the Yonsei University and Sogang University. He has been Visiting Fellow and Visiting Scholar at Korea National Defense University, Sejong Institute, Northeast Asia History Foundation, Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library and Museum, Institute for Far East Studies, Northeast Asia History Foundation, Kyungnam University, and Korean Institute for International Economic Policy.

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