2- days’ international conference on “India and Central Asia: Renewing Historical Relationships” concludes at JU

Two days International Conference on “India and Central Asia: Renewing Historical Relationships”  was organised by the Department of Strategic and Regional Studies (DSRS), University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata  concluded with the valedictory session. The conference was aimed at fostering dialogue and rejuvenating India’s historical, economic, cultural, and strategic ties with the Central Asian countries.

Prof. Pramod Kumar Pandey, grandson of Indian philosopher Rahul Sankrityan, delivered the valedictory address of the Conference. In his valedictory address, Prof. Pandey shared his valuable insights about the life and academic contribution of Indian philosopher Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityan in the context of ancient and modern ties of India with the Central Asian region. He revealed that Rahul Sankrityan had the knowledge of more than thirty languages and had widely travelled to different countries especially Tibet, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Russia also served as visiting professor in Sri Lankan and Russian Universities. His works delineated that how the soft power is significant in establishing India’s inter-personal relationships with other countries.

 The valedictory session was chaired by Dr. Rajiv Nayan, Senior Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi. 

Eminent scholars those who shared their views in the conference were Prof. Javed Khatov, Penjikent Pedagogical College, Tajikistan; Ms. Sharofat Arabova, Film-Maker, Tajikistan; Prof. K. Warikoo, JNU, New Delhi; Prof. Maheshwar Singh, NLU, New Delhi; Prof. Ramakrishana Pradhan, GGU, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh; Prof. Nasir Rza Khan, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Prof. Nalin Mahapatra, JNU, New Delhi; Prof. Ramakant Dwivedi, ICAF, New Delhi;  Dr. Anurag Tripathi, Christ University, New Delhi, Dr. Punit Gaur, Indian Council of World Affairs; Dr. Anjali Sehrawat, University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh; 

Recognizing the region’s importance to India’s economic, cultural, strategic, and security interests, scholars highlighted India’s efforts to revive its centuries-old relationship with Central Asia through the ‘Connect Central Asia Policy.’ This policy adopts a broad-based approach, focusing on deepening political, economic, cultural, and security ties with Central Asian nations. To advance these goals, Indian leaders and diplomats have engaged in numerous visits to the region, fostering bilateral and multilateral dialogues. Scholars, in recommending ways to strengthen India-Central Asia relations, emphasized the need to promote connectivity, commerce, confidence-building, and contact through both formal and informal channels. Additionally, people-to-people connections should be strengthened, alternative routes should be developed to balance China’s influence in the region, and efforts should be made to bring these nations closer to India.

It is pertinent to mention here that more than 30 research papers were presented in this conference by the scholars in different sessions of the conference and shared their knowledge with regard to India and Central Asia Relations in the historical and contemporary context to give a new dimension to India-Central Asia relationship. Scholars from different Indian academic institutions and Central Asian countries participated in the different academic sessions and presented their paper while giving suggestions for more vigorous relations of India with Central Asia countries. 

Earlier, Prof. Varinder Koundal, Director, DSRS felicitated Prof. Pramod Pandey who was the Chief Guest of valedictory session. Dr. Suneel Kumar presented the formal vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants, and organizing teams for their contributions to the conference. Dr. Chahukeshi Jamwal conducted the proceeding of the conference.

Eminent academicians, research scholars and students of Jammu University including Prof. Naresh Padha, Prof. Suman Jamwal, Prof. Baljit Singh,  Prof. Vishav Raksha, Prof. Ajay Sharma, Dr. Javed Rahi, Dr. Mohd. Monir Alam, Dr. Surinder Mohan, Dr. Tilak Sharma, Dr. Ganesh Malhotra and Dr. Ranjan Sharma , Dr. Ranjan Sharma, Dr. Anu Mankotia, Dr. Anju Bala were also also presented in the conference.

The Conference was inaugurated yesterday with a message from His Excellency Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon'ble Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chancellor of the University of Jammu, expressing his support for the conference and highlighting the significance of India’s ties Central Asia. Keynote address of the conference was delivered by Padma Shree Prof. K.N. Pandita. Inaugural session of the conference was presided by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Jammu. Conference was attended by eminent persons including Dr. Sarup Prasad Ghosh, Director, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata and Shri Ashutosh Bhatnagar, Director, Jammu Kashmir Study Centre, New Delhi talked about the contemporary economic, strategic and security imperatives prevailing at regional and global level which necessitate closer collaboration between India and Central Asia.