‘India’s Eastward Engagement: From Antiquity to Act East Policy’ presents India’s engagement with its extended eastern neighbours from ancient times to the present. It argues that this engagement has been long rooted in India’s geographical location, its civilisational evolution and historical transformations. The book critically examines all the important phases — Nehru and post-Nehru periods, and Look East and Act East policies. It exposes the widely entertained myths about India’s eastward engagement and also underlines the prospective directions in which the Act East policy may unfold in the years to come.
S.D. Muni is Professor Emeritus, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. For nearly forty years, he taught, conducted and supervised research in international relations and South Asian studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (1974-2006), National University of Singapore (2008-2013), Banaras Hindu University (1985-86), and University of Rajasthan (1972-73). He served as India's Special Envoy to Southeast Asian countries on UNSC Reforms (2005) and represented India’s Minister of External Affairs at the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Paris Peace Conference, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Rahul Mishra is Senior Lecturer, Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya, Kuala Lampur. He specialises on politico-security affairs of the Asia Pacific region. He has more than 150 national and international publications to his credit, and more than 70 TV and radio appearances to discuss Asia Pacific affairs.
Harsh V. Pant, Director, Studies & Head of Strategic Studies Programme, ORF
K Yhome, Senior Fellow, ORF
Premesha Saha, Associate Fellow, ORF
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Registration
3:00 – 3:10 p.m. | Opening remarks | Harsh V. Pant
3:10 – 3:30 p.m. | Presentation by S.D. Muni
3:30 – 3:50 p.m. | Presentation by Rahul Mishra
3:50 – 4:00 p.m. | Remarks by K. Yhome (Discussant)
4:00 – 4:10 p.m. | Remarks by Premesha Saha
4:10 – 4:40 p.m. | Q&A
4:40 – 4:50 p.m. | Closing remarks by chair
4:50 p.m. onwards | High tea
