EVENTS

 

The India Forum on China (IFC), launched in 2017, is an annual flagship conference organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi, in cooperation with various Indian universities, and academic institutions. Every year eminent scholars, practitioners and policymakers from India and other countries hold in-depth deliberations on a topical theme pertaining to China in an Indian setting and keeping in mind perspectives from India. Each successive Conference, within the ambit of its theme, takes into consideration a variety of sub- themes, and seeks to develop a coherent analysis. The themes and sub-themes are analysed through a multi-directional and inter-disciplinary approach. At the culmination of each Forum, a detailed and comprehensive report is prepared, which is aimed at policymakers, media, and interested public.

The Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi and the India Office of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung organised the 1^st IFC @Goa at the International Centre Goa on 15-16 December 2017, in cooperation with Goa University. The theme was Deciphering China's Quest for Global and Regional Leadership. Held shortly after the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the deliberations and outcomes of the Congress informed the discussions at the Forum. Arguments pertaining to China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), its efforts to fashion new institutions like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), its growing soft power capabilities and technological prowess were examined in detail. Amb. Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary, Government of India & Member, Governing Council, Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi delivered the Keynote Address titled ‘Overview of China's Quest for Global Leadership’.

The 2nd IFC @Goa was organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi, in partnership with the India Office of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, and in cooperation with Goa University, from 7-9 December 2018. As 2018 marked the 40^th anniversary of China’s economic reforms and opening up, the theme of the conference was Changing Drivers of China's Economy. The Forum brought together over 40 experts who offered their insights and perspectives on several sub-themes including the ramifications of the structural rebalancing of China’s economy, and its implications for India and other players. The Keynote Address at the 2^nd IFC @Goa was delivered by Prof. Ashwani Saith, Professor Emeritus, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University, Rotterdam titled ‘Socialism, Pioneer of Capitalism - and Global Power: The Latent Leitmotif of Chinese Development?’.

At the 3^rd IFC @Goa, that was organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi and the India Office of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung in cooperation with Goa University, from 5-8 December 2019, experts deliberated on the theme, China and Asia's Changing Geopolitics. Sub-themes at the Forum included Asia’s geopolitical changes, evolving discourse on the Indo-Pacific, Beijing’s cultural diplomacy, the US-China trade war and other such topics of contemporary relevance. Discussions also focused on China’s approach while dealing with the world and the role played by Xi Jinping. Additionally, some participants also brought in the domestic dimension, particularly the role of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the Chinese economy. The Keynote Address at the 3rd IFC @Goa was delivered by Mr. Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow, Lowy Institute, Sydney titled ‘Xi Jinping and Chinese Power’.

The 4^th IFC @Goa was organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi and the India Office of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung in cooperation with Goa University, from 3-4 December 2021. The theme of this Forum was CPC at 100 and China's Future. Experts deliberated upon themes ranging from 100 years of the Communist Party of China (CPC), cultural and intellectual traditions in China to China's developmental aspirations and regional ambitions, and great power competition. The Forum reflected on the history of the CPC, the Party’s growth not only in membership numbers but also in its influence over a span of 100 years. The changing nature of Chinese foreign policy especially in the context of the Indo-Pacific was examined at the Forum. Prof. Rana Mitter, Professor of History and Politics of Modern China. University of Oxford delivered the Keynote Address titled ‘How New is China’s New Era under Xi Jinping’.

The 5th IFC @Goa, organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi in partnership with the India Office of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, with Goa University, and focused on one of the most discussed and speculated-upon events of 2022 all over the world - the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. With its far-reaching implications for Chinese politics, economics, society and with a concomitant impact on strategic and security aspects in the neighbourhood and beyond, the theme of this Forum naturally selected itself: The Communist Party of China in the 'New Era'. Organised over two days, 27-28 November 2022, the 5th IFC @Goa witnessed the participation of more than 40 experts, including scholars, practitioners and policymakers from the economic, foreign policy, security and technological domains. The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice-Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and the Valedictory Address titled, ‘Xi Jinping’s China: Denouncing the Era of “Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones”’ was delivered by Prof. B.R. Deepak, Professor, Centre for Chinese & South-East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The 6^th IFC @Mumbai was organised by the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi in partnership with the Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi-NCR; the Centre for Advanced Policy Research and Initiatives, Navi Mumbai; the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai; and, C.K.T. College, Mumbai, and in cooperation with the University of Mumbai. Organised over two days, from 4-6 December 2023, at the Nehru Centre, Mumbai, the 6^th IFC focused on the theme, The BRI Transformed? China’s New Global Initiatives on ‘Development’, ‘Security’, and ‘Civilization’. Over 20 eminent scholars and practitioners from India and around the world deliberated on the theme, and brought forth new perspectives and arguments pertaining to China’s three global initiatives, employing a multi-directional approach. The Keynote Address titled, ‘Engaging With China: Options and Strategies’ was delivered by Dr. Ajit Ranade, Vice-Chancellor, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, and the Valedictory Address was delivered by Adm. Arun Prakash, former Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy.