India and South East Asia : States Borders and Culture

Indian engagement with the Southeast Asian region extends beyond recent conceptualisations to periods when connectivity was defined not just in strategic but also in cultural terms. Close cultural interaction between India and Southeast Asia began in prehistoric times and continued until the beginning of colonial rule. And in the new millennium, India is trying its best to reconnect with the region with its "Look East" policy, and to strengthen its engagement by Acting East. It is undeniable that India views the region as a crucial partner today and there are vital concerns that both regions share. But contemporary concerns should not overshadow the broader issues that have been important to both regions through the ages.

The current volume looks at different issues and perceptions of the region. Issues like borders, security, disputes are analysed alongside issues like religion, culture and traditions. Some retrospectives essays also attempt to question lost opportunities in Indian foreign policy and prescribe how India should look at the region. India's connection and engagement with the region has therefore been analysed and re-imagined. An interesting feature of this book is that it is an attempt by scholars in Kolkata and Hanoi to bring together their ideas and research on states, borders and religion. (jacket)