New Mexico Tech University has set up a new think tank on the country to facilitate exchange of ideas among policy makers, diplomats and scholars.
NEW YORK: Recognising the increasingly important role of India in the global political and economic arena, the New Mexico Tech University has set up a new think tank on the country to facilitate exchange of ideas among policy makers, diplomats and scholars.
The Institute for the Geopolitics of India (IGI), set up under the Center for Geopolitical Studies, will, among other things, organise workshops and conferences in India, the United States and European Union on issues relevant to India's role in the world affairs.
The proceedings would be published as articles and books to which the scholars can refer later.
Inaugurating the think tank, former Indian Ambassador for People of Indian Origin Dr Bhishma Kumar Agnihotri, who has been appointed its senior adviser, said while there are many fine think tanks, official and non-official, there has been a need for one that will enable Western scholars and policy makers to be apprised of Indian geopolitical perspectives and interests.
"The goal of this Institute is to address the many issues that face India as it continues to develop its economic capacity and its presence on the world stage," he said.
Announcing the setting up of the think tank, the University said scholars of international relations are increasingly recognising India as a major player in world affairs.
Symbolic of this is the recent desire on the part of the governments of India and the US to enhance their mutual understanding of common interests, it added.
The trajectory of the international system over the next 25 years, the University said, turns on a number of issues.
"Among the most significant issues are whether India will continue to translate its newly acquired geo-political position and growing economic wealth into international influence? What hurdles, domestic and international, must it overcome? What does India intend to accomplish, given its new role in the evolving international geopolitical framework?".
Present at the inauguration were Dr. Leonard Hochberg, Director, Center for Geopolitical Studies, New Mexico Tech University and a host of Indian community leaders.
In his address, Hochberg said the Institute will focus on key geopolitical challenges faced by India and how that nation proposes to deal with them. It will give a new direction to the study of the geopolitics of India.
"Western scholars and policy makers must now develop a direct appreciation of the imperatives of India's national security and the features of Indian society and civilization without being subjected to preconceived notions and ideologically-driven judgements. The Institute will foster a dialogue between Western and Indian scholars and policy makers through planning and implementation of conferences".
"Research findings, scholarly books, opinion pieces, newsletters and reports will find its way to appropriate audience. Also on the cards are fellowships to graduate students, guest lectures and visiting scholars from India," he added.
In his inaugural address, Agnihotri said terrorism, exported by neighbouring country, is a continuing threat to the integrity and social harmony of India. Also, illegal migration from neighbouring countries, vote bank politics, and regional parochialism are drag on sustainable development and progress.
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