Conferences and Seminars
ICAF has organised 23 national/international seminars, 14 international conferences. The details are placed below:
➤ ICAF organised an international seminar on “Recent Developments in Central Asia” on August 10 2005 in the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi in the wake of the “Tulip Revolution” in Kyrgyzstan of March 24, 2005 and on the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan during May 12-14, 2005.
The themes covered by the seminar were:
- Overview of Central Asia with special reference to political changes in Kyrgyzstan and developments in Uzbekistan
- Religious Extremism and Terrorism in Central Asia
- The role and interests of major powers (United States, Russia and China) in Central Asia.
➤ ICAF organised an international seminar on “Indo-Kazakh Perspectives on the Socio-Economic Development of Central Asia” on January 16 2006 at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. Dr B Sultanov, Director, Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Studies, Almaty and Dr Leila M. Muzaparova, Deputy Director, Institute for World Economy and Policy, Almaty participated in the deliberations and gave presentations of importance. Apart from Kazakh scholars, Dr Siddharth S Saxena, Chairman, Central Asia Forum, Committee for Central and Inner Asia, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom participated and provided valuable insights. A total of 10 papers were presented in two sessions. The seminar proceedings would be published by the end of June, 2006.
➤ ICAF organised an international seminar on “Perspectives on Asian Affairs” on Tuesday May 16 2006 at 0900 hours at the India International Centre, Conference Room II (Second Floor Main Building) 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi.
The themes covered by the seminar were:
- India and the Major Powers
- Terrorism in South Asia & its impact on Regional Security
- Political Islam in Asia
- Energy Security and Strategic Development in the Indian Ocean
➤ An international seminar on “India and Tajikistan in International Affairs” was held in New Delhi on August 8, 2006. Sixteen experts from India and Tajikistan made presentations. The seminar attempted a sharp focus on security challenges and the opportunity for cooperation in the areas of mutual interests in Central Asia with specific reference to Tajikistan. India has been laying the considerable importance for enhancing economic and security linkages with Tajikistan. The potential for India to play a role in economic reforms underway in Tajikistan is high. Secondly, the seminar tried to explore and develop institutional linkages for a higher level of understanding and appreciation of internal developments in Tajikistan and India. International terrorism, drug trafficking and religious extremism are of critical importance to both India and Tajikistan. Hence, assessing the current status of Islamic movements and their new linkages formed another important part of the seminar.
The one-day seminar had three Working Sessions and one Inaugural Session:-
Session # 1: Overview of India-Tajik Ties and Pointers to the Future
Session # 2: Regional Economic Cooperation with a focus on India and Tajikistan
Session # 3: Terrorism, Drug Trafficking and Religious Extremism HE President Emomali Rahmonov in his Inaugural Address emphasized the commonality of interests between Tajikistan and India. He spoke with refreshing candour and, often, departed from the prepared text to drive home the dangers of extremism, terrorism and drug trafficking. In his view, Tajikistan was the first post-Soviet Republic that faced the threat of extremism and terrorism. In a sense, Tajikistan acted as a buffer between these sources of tension and other Central Asian States and Russia. Despite his efforts to draw the world attention to this grave danger, the world community did not realize the magnitude of this threat until 9/11. Tajik and Indian interests lie in a stable Afghanistan. Besides drug trafficking which sustains extremism and terrorism, the region is awash with weapons complicating the scenario. The Address also touched upon measures taken by Tajikistan to deal with these threats. One such step is the Global Partnership to Counteract the Dangers from Narcotics under the aegis of the United Nations. In view of the commonality of interests, Tajikistan and India could cooperate in several fields to mutual benefit.
➤ An international seminar on “Indo-Uzbek Perspectives on the Environment and Sustainable Development” was held on Thursday March 1, 2007 in New Delhi. The seminar was part of a series of events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Uzbekistan.
In total, 7 papers were presented at the seminar. Between them, the papers address the entire gamut of the issues mentioned above.
➤ A bilateral seminar on “India – Turkmenistan Relations: Retrospect and Prospect” was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on April 2, 2007. Fourteen experts from India and Turkmenistan made presentations.
The one-day seminar had two working sessions and one inaugural session:-
Inaugural Session:
Session # 1: India – Turkmenistan Relations in Historical, Cultural & Economic Areas and Pointers to the Future
Session # 2: Energy, Transport and Communication: Imperatives and Prospects for Regional Economic Cooperation
H.E. Mr. Saparlyev Khydyr Mukhammedberdyevich, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers for Science, Education, Health Care, Tourism and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkmenistan, in his Inaugural Address emphasized on the historical links between India and Turkmenistan. In his view, Turkmen scholars, poets and statesman like Bayram Khan and Abdurrahim Khan played an important role in expanding and strengthening of bilateral relations. He underlined that the historical linkages provided a solid base for expanding and strengthening of bilateral ties after the independence of Turkmenistan. The literary heritage of Baýram khan Turkmen and his son Abdyrahym khan is an inseparable part of both Turkmen and Indian cultures. Those friendly ties originating from the past have acted as solid foundation for current Indo-Turkmen relations, he noted.
➤ An international conference on “Regional Cooperation as a Development Tool in Eurasia” was held in New Delhi during March 27-29, 2008. Twenty experts from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom and India made presentations. ICAF’s first multilateral venture covered Central Asia and Eurasia with regional cooperation as the focus. The conference attempted a sharp focus on enhancing cooperation between India and the countries of Eurasian region in political, economic and security areas. India’s experience in nation and state building with secularism, pluralism and equitable economic development under a democratic umbrella could be of some importance to the newly independent countries of the region. The conference also aimed at developing institutional linkages for promoting a higher level of understanding
The three-day conference had four working sessions and one inaugural session:
Inaugural Session:
Session # 1: Perspectives on Eurasia
Session # 2: Regional Cooperation: Energy Security
Session # 3: Political and Economic Developments in Central Asia
Session # 4: Non- Traditional Threats: Prospects for Cooperation
In total, 19 papers were presented at the conference. Between them, the papers address the entire gamut of the issues mentioned above.
➤ The India – Central Asia Foundation (ICAF) along with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised a half-day inter-active session on “Indian and Central Asia Prospects for Business” on 30 September 2008 at Hotel Le’ Meridien to explore all aspects for business opportunities in Central Asia. The Central Asia Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are richly endowed with natural resources such as oil and natural gas, uranium, gold and aluminum. Some of them have progressed considerably in building a market economy and a liberal polity. The potential for India to interact with these countries in order to achieve sustainable development is immense. The scope for India to establish its economic presence is promising. India enjoys tremendous goodwill in these countries and it is important to give this a contemporary relevance. Apart from energy and related spheres, other areas that hold promise are transport and telecommunication, Information Technology, agriculture, industry, Pharmaceuticals and education.
➤ ICAF organised an international seminar on “India –Kazakhstan: Enhancing the Strategic Dialogue” in cooperation with the Indian Council of World Affairs at Sapru House in New Delhi on March 30, 2009. Fifteen experts from India and Kazakhstan made presentations. The seminar attempted a sharp focus on India-Kazakh relation in historical and cultural arena and opportunity for cooperation in the areas of mutual interests with specific reference to energy cooperation. Secondly, the seminar also tried to explore and develop institutional linkages for promoting a higher level of understanding and appreciation of developments in Central and South Asia. ICAF book on “Democratic Processes in Central Asia: India-Kazakh Perspectives.”
The one-day seminar had two working sessions and one inaugural session:
Inaugural Session:
Session # 1: India – Kazakhstan Relations: A New Vibrancy
Session # 2: Cooperation for Energy & Food Security
➤ The 2nd India-Kyrgyz Bilateral Seminar on “India – Kyrgyz Relations: Retrospect and Prospects” was organised by the India – Central Asia Foundation and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyrgyz Republic on June 18, 2009 at the Diplomatic Academy, Bishkek. There were 6 participants from India and a matching number from the Kyrgyz side. Scholars from ICAF, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata, and Global India Foundation, Kolkata made presentations from the Indian side. Shri N Ravi, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Amb J Pande, Indian Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic spoke in the Inaugural Session of the seminar. H E Mr. E. Ibraimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kyrgyz Republic, Amb Irina Orolbaeva, Kyrgyz Ambassador to India, scholars from Diplomatic Academy, Public Policy Institute, Kyrgyz-India Friendship and Cooperation Society, Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Tourism, and the Foreign Policy Centre made presentations from the Kyrgyz side.
The seminar was aimed at enabling a better understanding of developments through scholarly exchanges with experts in and on the Central Asian region. It aimed at promoting Indo-Kyrgyz relations through scholarly exchanges in the spectrum of nation building matters faced in the region. The seminar contributed towards a greater and enlightened appreciation of Indo-Kyrgyz relations and advance common interests in Central Asia and other regions. Proceedings of the seminar would be of use at the Track I and Track II levels of engagements. The idea of holding the seminar in Bishkek was motivated by the desire to be able to interact with a large group of Kyrgyz scholars, academics, diplomats, technocrats, entrepreneurs and young researchers. The main issues discussed were India – Kyrgyz Relations in Historical, Cultural & Economic Areas, Energy, Transport, Communication and Tourism.
This seminar coincided with the visit of Shri N Ravi, then Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to Bishkek.
➤ As part of its ongoing research activities and Track II functions, ICAF jointly with the Centre for Strategic Research under the President’s Office of the Tajik Republic organized a bi-lateral Conference on “India-Tajik Relations: Perspectives and Prospects” on September 10 2009 in Dushanbe. It is the second time that ICAF held a bilateral Conference on India-Tajik relations; but the first time in Dushanbe. The conference coincided with the State Visit of Indian President Hon’ble Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil to Tajikistan.
There were 7 participants from India and a matching number from the Tajik side. Scholars from ICAF, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata, Institute for Narcotics Studies and Analyses (INSA), New Delhi, Independent Power Producers Association of India (IPPAI) and the Centre for Strategic Research, Dushanbe made presentations at the Conference. Shri Amar Sinha, Indian Ambassador to Tajikistan spoke in the inaugural session.
The Conference had the following themes:
- Overview of Indo- Tajik Ties in Historical, Cultural & Economic Areas and Pointers to Future
- International Terrorism, Religious Extremism & Drug Trafficking
➤ An International Conference on “Changing Security Landscape of Eurasia: Role of Regional Groupings” was held in New Delhi during May 27-29, 2010. Sixteen experts from Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Uzbekistan and India made presentations
The Conference attempted a sharp focus on enhancing cooperation between India and the countries of the Eurasian region in political, economic and security areas. The aim of the conference was to evaluate the threat perceptions of the Eurasian countries and to explore avenues for enhancing cooperative security.
The three-day conference had Four Working Sessions and one Inaugural Session:
Inaugural Session:
Session # 1: Evaluation of Security Threats in Eurasia
Session # 2: Great Power Competition & Geo-Politics in Eurasia
Session # 3: Economic Cooperation and Energy Security: Challenges and Prospects
Session # 4: Towards Cooperative and Inclusive Security
➤ An international seminar on “India-Kazakhstan: Prospects of a Strategic Partnership” was jointly organised by the India-Central Asia Foundation and Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New Delhi during January 18-19, 2011. As part of its ongoing research activities and Track II functions, ICAF had earlier organized the first India – Kazakhstan bilateral seminar in 2006.
The Two-day seminar had the following sessions:-
Inaugural Session:
Session # 1: Cooperation in Areas of History, Culture, Politics and Security
Session # 2: India – Kazakhstan Economic Relation
Session # 3: Current Status and Prospects of Cooperation in Science &
Technology
Session # 4: India-Kazakhstan Relations: Pointers to the Future
➤ An international conference on Indian and Central Asian Perspectives on Afghanistan was organised by the India – Central Asia Foundation in New Delhi during October 27-29 2011. Twenty three experts from Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, USA, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Open Society Institute and India made presentations.
The conference attempted a sharp focus on international intervention, security challenges, State-building and self governance premised on democratic institutions in Afghanistan with a special relevance to the post US/NATO withdrawal by 2014. Firstly, the conference tried to explore and develop institutional linkages for promoting a higher level of understanding and appreciation of internal developments in Afghanistan, international terrorism, drug trafficking and religious extremism. Assessing the current status of Islamic movements and their new linkages formed another important part of the conference. Secondly, India has been laying considerable importance on the rebuilding and reconstruction processes in Afghanistan. The potential role India could play in social, economic, political and security reforms in Afghanistan for long term stability.
The three-day conference had six Working Sessions and an inaugural session:-
Inaugural Session
Session # 1: NATO’s Phased Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Implications for Central and South Asia
Session # 2: Reintegration and Reconciliation in Afghanistan
Session # 3: National Reconstruction in Afghanistan
Session # 4: Drug Trafficking and Counter-Narcotics
Session # 5: Emerging Scenarios in Afghanistan
Session # 6: Methods and Concepts for Advancing Cooperation between India, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics
➤ An International Conference on the Silk Road and India: Historical and Contemporary Relevance was organised by the India – Central Asia Foundation in New Delhi during December 27 – 28 2011. Thirty two experts from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and India attended the Conference.
The Conference was held within the framework of the trilateral agreement between the India Central Asia Foundation (ICAF), Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata and the Global India Foundation (GIF), Kolkata. Seventeen scholars made presentations.
The conference was attended by 80 experts from the Ministry of External Affairs, National Defence College, National Security Council Secretariat, embassies of Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Russia and Uzbekistan, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Delhi, Indian Council of World Affairs and other Track II organisations.
It attempted to assess the importance of historical Silk Routes in today’s context. In view of India’s growing strategic, geopolitical, economic and cultural interests in Afghanistan, Central Asia and Eurasia, such an assessment would be useful. It explored the current connectivity and the possibility of establishing new linkages.
The conference had six Working Sessions and an inaugural session:
Inaugural Session
Session # 1: Historical & Contemporary Relevance of Silk Route
Session # 1 A: Historical & Contemporary Relevance of Silk Route
Session # 1 B: Historical & Contemporary Relevance of Silk Route
Session # 2: Transport Corridors: Imperatives and Prospects for Regional Cooperation
Session # 5: Transport Corridors: Current Status and Prospects for Regional Cooperation
Session # 6: Transport Corridors: Pointers to the Future
➤ An International Conference on ‘Iran’s Eurasian Dynamic: Mapping Regional and Extra-Regional Interests’ was held under the trilateral Agreement between the India – Central Asia Foundation, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata and Global India Foundation (GIF), Kolkata at the IIC Annexe, New Delhi during February 13-14, 2013. The focus on Iran pertains to the country’s obvious geopolitical significance in the regional and international spheres and the impact that its orientations could bear upon the framing of policy. Eurasia forms a natural core in India’s foreign policy agenda. It follows that an engagement that defines the realities of this space should also form an integral part of India’s interests. The Iranian engagement of the Eurasian space and its affiliates in the New Great Game, thus, qualify as a critical area of interest to India on many counts. For an exposition and subsequent appreciation of Iran’s Eurasian dynamic and a development of India’s policy perceptions, it is necessary to prepare a venue for the dissemination of relevant knowledge. It is extremely important that these issues be debated between opinions that have been formulated as much by practical experience and knowledge as by theoretical perceptions. This Conference, thus, attempted to bring together Iranian, Indian and Eurasian viewpoints on this theme.