29, Brahmapur, Govt. Colony,
Bansdroni,
Kolkata 700070 West Bengal,
India
JADAVPUR ASSOCIATION
OF INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
imankalyanlahiri@gmail.com
INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON : INDIA & HER NEIGHBOURS: REVISITING RELATIONS
WITH NEPAL, BANGLADESH, BHUTAN, MYANMAR, SRI LANKA, MALDIVES
OVERVIEW
WORKSHOP TITLE
India & Her Neighbours: Revisiting Relations with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives
PROPOSED DATES
17-18 August, 2012
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the workshop is to serve as a platform for national and international
academics, practitioners, diplomats & young scholars to revisit and interrogate India’s
relation with her neighbours. The seminar will have a special focus on India’s relation
with the countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka & Maldives- which do not
receive adequate popular attention.
WORKSHOP
OUTPUT
A publication on the topic- Roadmap for greater cooperation between India and her
neighbours for a stable, prosperous and peaceful South Asia.
VENUE: Kolkata, India
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE
India’s neighbourhood has been in transition over the last decade. Most of her neighbouring countries- best
described under the aegis of SAARC, have been experiencing paradigm shifts in their political, social and
economic arenas. The transition within the body polity of these countries has often been sudden and violent,
while others have been peaceful and (sometimes painfully) slow. Overall, there has been a tendency towards
democratization and a liberal economy and society. However, diverse political, social and economic interests
(both foreign and local) compete for prominence which makes these transition contexts extremely dynamic
and sometimes even volatile. While India’s larger and geo-strategically prominent neighbours like China,
Pakistan and Afghanistan receive substantial national and international focus, developments in India’s smaller
neighbours have largely eluded the popular discourse. As a result there is little discussion on India’s long term
foreign policy strategy or relations with neighbours like Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and
Myanmar. An overwhelming number of popular coverage and discussions are responses to sporadic events or
relate to India’s ethnic ties to these countries. However, as these countries experience a fundamental shift in
their socio-economic polity, there is a corresponding need for India to revisit her engagement with her
neighbours. There is also a possibility that there will be new expectations from India (as a regional leader and
as a long-standing stable democratic economic power). To a certain extent India should be in a position to fulfil
these expectations if it wants to be regarded as a global/ responsible power. This necessitates:

A careful analysis of recent events and their impact on India’s neighbouring countries.
1
29, Brahmapur, Govt. Colony,
Bansdroni,
Kolkata 700070 West Bengal,
India
JADAVPUR ASSOCIATION
OF INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
imankalyanlahiri@gmail.com
 A review of India's contemporary foreign policy vis-a-vis these countries
A dialogue between representatives (govt./ non-govt) of these countries and India about expectations
and opportunities
JAIR, with its experts in regional studies especially on South Asia and Southeast Asia, a wide-membership base
in different sectors and in different countries is strategically positioned to provide a platform for a seminarworkshop which will achieve this purpose. Its contributions from different sectors (academic, media,
government, commentators, business consultants etc.) and backgrounds will ensure a comprehensive and
impartial look at the recent developments and provide a suitable roadmap for future cooperation.

SEMINAR THEMES & STRUCTURE
The seminar- workshop can be broken down into 2 parts- 1) a seminar- with presentations from experts on
different countries and their impact on bilateral relations with India; and 2) a closed workshop with selected
invitees (from Government- including foreign diplomats, and the Non-Government sectors) to identify
common areas of interest and work out a roadmap for increased cooperation between India and her
neighbours.
The seminar- workshop themes may be divided country-wise with a special session for cross-cutting issues. In
keeping with JAIR’s objectives, the seminar will also provide a special platform for young scholars to present
their ideas on the issue. Parallel poster presentations (with volunteers available to explain the posters to
workshop participants) will be held.
PROPOSED TIMELINE
Announcement and call for papers
1st April, 2012 onwards
Last date of submission of abstracts
15th June, 2012
Contacting the Speakers & inviting participants
To be completed by: 30th June, 2012
Workshop Dates
17-18th August, 2012
Last Date for Registration and sending Registration
Fee
30th June, 2012
Abstract may be sent at: imankalyanlahiri@gmail.com
OUTPUT
The output of the seminar will be a book/ seminar publication and the roadmap- workshop proceedings.
2
29, Brahmapur, Govt. Colony,
Bansdroni,
Kolkata 700070 West Bengal,
India
JADAVPUR ASSOCIATION
OF INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
imankalyanlahiri@gmail.com
REGISTRATION FEES:
FOR INDIAN NATIONALS
Item
Rate in Rupees
For Students
Registration Fee:
1500/-
Rs. 750/-
Accomodation ( for
outstation speakers
and participants)
5000/- (for three
days)
Rs. 3000/-
Total Fees to be
paid by Local
participants
1500/-
750/-
Total Fees to be
paid by outstation
participants
6500/-
3750/-
Includes the Lunch
and Seminar kits
The amount may be paid by Bank Transfer/ Demand Draft/ Cheque in favour of “ The Jadavpur Association of
International Relations”. Demand Draft and Cheque may be sent to : Dr. Imankalyan Lahiri, Department of
International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032. For Bank Transfer write us at:
mailtojair@rediffmail.com to get the Bank Details.
FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS:
Item
Rate in $
For Students
Registration Fee:
300
250
Accomodation
300/- (for three
days)
250 ( for 3 days)
Total Fees to be
paid
600
500
Includes the Lunch
and Seminar kits
3
JADAVPUR ASSOCIATION
OF INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
29, Brahmapur, Govt. Colony,
Bansdroni,
Kolkata 700070 West Bengal,
India
imankalyanlahiri@gmail.com
International Participants may send their registration fee by PAY PAL/ International Money Transfer. For
details write us at: imankalyanlahiri@gmail.com
FOR ENQUIRIES: imankalyanlahiri@gmail.com
www.jair.net.in
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