International Conference on "Asian Diplomacy: India's Foreign Policy and Relations" was held in ISAS during Sept. 17-Sept. 19 in Hongwa Hotel, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Co-sponsored by the Institute of South Asian Studies at Sichuan University (ISAS) and Sichuan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SIFA), the conference was presented by some 60 participants from India, US, Russia, Japan, Singapore as well as China (Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR), and an audience of another 100-plus scholars and students. SCU Vice-President Prof. Yan Shijing made a opening remark during the opening session.

After a warm welcome to all the participants, he further opined that: this conference is convened in 2012, the Year of China-India Friendship and Cooperation. The fact that keywords of Sino-Indian relations has stepped from "Exchanges" into "Friendship and Cooperation" is a faithful and objective reflection of the remarkable progress on Sino-Indian relations and a prediction to the bright future of the relations between the two neighbors. SCU and ISAS are therefore much pleased to co-host today's conference in the "Year of China-India Friendship and Cooperation 2012."

Sichuan University is very proud for its South Asian studies, especially its Institute of South Asian Studies. The Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University (ISAS) was established in 1964 under late Premier Zhou Enlai's instruction on enhancing the studies of foreign affairs. In January 2001, with the confirmation of the Ministry of Education, ISAS was entitled as a Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities.

The Institute has 4 research rooms and 3 research centers. ISAS has established itself as a major training center for professionals major in South Asian studies. The institute offers post-doctoral program, enrolls and teaches doctoral postgraduates major in World Economy, Would History and Religious Studies, as well as master-level postgraduates major in International Relations.

As the only Chinese higher educational institute specializing in South Asian studies, ISAS enjoys the most complete collection of research data for South Asia studies in China and boasts its rich academic achievements.

As a Key Research Institute for South Asian studies, ISAS commits itself to enhance the interactions and exchanges among South Asian researching institutes home and abroad. Today's conference is in fact the latest development of its work. I firmly believed that, thanks to your support and assistance, the conference will definitely be a great success, and will play a very productive role for the research of India's foreign policy on the one hand, and, more importantly, for the Sino-Indian friendly exchanges on the other hand.

Mr. Shen Zaiwang from SIFA made a opening remark on behalf of SIFA President Qin Lin. He pointed out that: Sichuan and India has started exchanges long long ago. In recent years, Sichuan and India carried out extensive economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, achieving fruitful results. The direct flight between Chengdu and Bangalore was opened and Indian Wipro Company opened outsourcing service base in Chengdu. In the 21st century Sichuan-India friendly exchange embraces unprecedented prosperity in its fast development. As the window and bridge to the international friendly exchange, the SIFA plays a unique and irreplaceable role. As the two largest emerging powers and two major Asian powers, the enhanced friendly exchange and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and India will be of great significance for their domestic harmonious development, for the regional stability and for the world peace.

The conference proceed into presentation and discussion sessions after 4 Distinguished Guests' Speeches respectively delivered Mr. Indra Mani Pandey, Consul General of India to Guangzhou; Prof, Manoranjan Mohanty, Chairperson & Professor, Institute of Chinese Studies; Prof. Wang Xinsheng, Deputy Dean & Professor, Department of History, Peking University; Prof. Wei Chuxiong, Professor, Department of History, University of Macau. During 6 sessions in one and a half day, the participants made in-depth discussion on Sino-Indian Relations, Regional Diplomacy of India, domestic/historical background of India's diplomacy. The conference papers are expected to be included in a Conference Proceedings for publication.

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Background information

The International Conference on "Asian Diplomacy: India's Foreign Policy and Relations" is co-sponsored by the Institute of South Asian Studies at Sichuan University (ISAS) and Sichuan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SIFA), and was supported by the Chahar Institute. Conference participants come from Institute of Chinese Studies (New Delhi), Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi, Indian Council of World Affairs, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (India), University of Chicago, Ural Federal University, Society of Chinese Studies (Portugal), Waseda University (Japan), Nanyang Hwee Kuan (Singapore), Hong Kong Society of Asia & Pacific 21, University of Macau, Tamkang University (New Taipei City), Peking University, Renmin University of China, Capital Normal University, China Foreign Affairs University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, The Charhar Institute, Nankai University, Shanxi University, Shandong University, Fudan University, Southwest University, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, Southwest University for Nationalities, Sichuan University, Sichuan Provincial Research Center of International Peace & Development. Interest scholars and students are welcome to present at the conferrence room as an observer.