East Asia

About Centre

The East Asia Centre is dedicated to studying the domestic and foreign policies of the region as well as India’s multifaceted relationships with the major countries of this region. With respect to China, the Centre’s research foci are its foreign policy, domestic politics, economy, military affairs, and India’s relations with China in all its dimensions. It monitors developments in China’s autonomous and special administrative regions. The Centre also focuses on Taiwan with reference to cross-Strait relations, ties with the US, India-Taiwan relations and domestic politics. The Centre researches Japanese and Korean affairs. Its major research focus is on their domestic politics, foreign policy and comprehensive bilateral relationships with India. It follows the developments in the Korean peninsula and inter-Korean relations. The geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific is studied at the Centre too.

The Centre brings out five monthly newsletters: East Asia Military Monitor, Japan Digest, China Science and Technology, Korea Newsletter, and China Military Digest.

Is China Edging Towards Political and Economic Uncertainty?

As China heads towards leadership changes after the 18th Party Congress, there is uncertainty both as regards economic policy as well as internal dissidence.

R. S. Kalha
March 20, 2012
IDSA Comments

New Delhi BRICS Summit: New Prospects, But More Challenges?

The real challenges for the New Delhi summit are issues that are linked not only with the future of BRICS but also with the conduct and approach of its members towards each other.

Vice-President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States

Xi Jinping tried his best to lower the temperature by suggesting that the vast Pacific Ocean has ‘ample space’ for both China and the United States.

R. S. Kalha
March 01, 2012
IDSA Comments

Japan’s Territorial Dispute with Russia heating up again

With Russia’s increasing involvement in the Asia-Pacific region, it has become extremely important for Japan to build a relationship of trust with that country and keep the territorial dispute on the back seat, at least for the time being.

Pranamita Baruah
February 17, 2012
IDSA Comments

Pakistan’s Long and Ordinary Crisis

The functional distortion of the arrangement of Pakistan’s major institutions—principally, the executive, the army, and the judiciary—is the cause of the current crisis.

Atul Mishra
February 09, 2012
Issue Brief

Myanmar’s Critical Role in Bolstering India’s Look East Policy

Cooperation with India will help natural resources-rich Myanmar develop its true potential. And cooperation with Myanmar will help India transform the North-East, bolster its Look East Policy, and help it emerge as a major Asian power

Arvind Gupta
February 02, 2012
IDSA Comments

The New Year Saga: China Dampens Tibetan’s Celebration

The Chinese New Year celebrations formally began on Monday, January 23. China has become 4710 years old as per its lunar calendar. This year will be known as the Year of the Dragon, which symbolises strength and prosperity. The New Year celebration is one of the longest and the principal festive season for the Chinese: the official holiday itself extends over a week or two. Tibet and Tibetans, however, have to wait a little longer for their New Year celebrations.

China’s White Papers on Space: An Analysis

China's space programme is not only an attempt to demonstrate technological or military superiority, but is aimed at achieving great power status.

Ajey Lele , Gunjan Singh
January 20, 2012
Issue Brief

Contours of a Possible Indian Riposte to Chinese Aggressiveness

After assessing the weaknesses and gaps in Chinese capabilities and highlighting the positions of advantage that India enjoys, this essay proposes a strategy for a strong riposte against any Chinese adventurism.

Lalit Kumar
January 17, 2012
Policy Brief

China ups the ante in Arunachal Pradesh

China’s refusal of visa to an IAF officer from Arunachal Pradesh, while aimed at scoring a political point, creates obstacles towards the very confidence-building that China hopes to see in the eastern sector.