Seminar on China, South Asia, South East Asia begins at GNDU

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, August 27

GNDU has organised a two-day conference on the theme “China and South Asia and South East Asia: Implications for India” in collaboration with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). The first day of the conference started with an address by Prof Rajesh Kumar, Chairperson of School of Social Sciences, GNDU, who threw light on the fifteen years history and progress of the School of Social Sciences (SSS).

The keynote speaker for the day was Prof Srikanth Kondapalli, who highlighted the territorial, historical, economic and military connections of China with South Asia and South East Asia. He explained the key initiatives of China to interact in the region such as BRI, Community of common destiny and go out strategy. The approach of China towards both the region was outlined by him as – “Hexiao Kongda” (Cooperate with small to counter India) for South Asia, and ‘Qianyi Mohva’ (creep silently) for South East Asia. His suggestions for India’s options in the context of China’s growing assertiveness focused on three C’s:- Commerce; Culture; Connectivity.

This was followed by the special address by Prof Karori Singh, Emeritus Prof of University of Rajasthan, who considered the improved role of China, since its establishment in 1999 under PLA and CPC, as a 100 years marathon to achieve two objective- update a prosperous society by 2049 and; to end the poverty issues.

This is the first offline seminar by GNDU post pandemic and is planned around 30 paper presentations by scholars and academicians from leading universities, which will contribute intellectually enriched pieces in the said theme.