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.

South Korea’s Military Preparedness

In response to increasing North Korean hostilities, South Korea’s Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin unveiled a 73-point military reform measures in early March 2011

Rajaram Panda
March 31, 2011
IDSA Comments

China’s 12th Five Year Plan and its Military

China’s 12th Five Year Plan, approved by the National People’s Congress on March 14, has effectively tied up the PLA’s defence modernisation with overall national growth.

Bijoy Das
March 25, 2011
IDSA Comments

Relevance of an East China Sea dispute to India

China’s conduct on the Chunxiao issue indicates that it may go ahead with plans regardless of a pending dispute when a vital strategic goal has to be achieved.

Bijoy Das
March 24, 2011
IDSA Comments

Japan’s Energy Dilemma

In the wake of Fukushima Japan may place greater emphasis on LNG and renewable sources of energy like solar and hydro power.

Rajaram Panda
March 24, 2011
IDSA Comments

Japan Battling the Nuclear Nightmare

Japan’s tryst with the atom, from Hiroshima to Fukushima, has been ruinous in both its avatars - its use in weapons and in energy.

Preeti Nalwa
March 22, 2011
IDSA Comments

Japan’s Disaster Brings Sino-Japanese Relations Closer

The relationship between China and Japan has taken a positive turn in the wake of Japan’s national disaster.

R N Das
March 22, 2011
IDSA Comments

Taking stock of Japan’s Nuclear Crisis

Even as Japan has become increasingly reliant on nuclear energy, its nuclear safety record has not been very satisfactory.

Aditi Malhotra
March 22, 2011
IDSA Comments

Japan’s Political Battles at a time of National Crisis

Opposition parties are wary of assuming responsibility for the Kan administration’s crisis management and national reconstruction efforts.

Rajaram Panda
March 21, 2011
IDSA Comments

Japan’s Nuclear Crisis and Analysis of Radiation Data as on 18/03/2011

The possibility of situation worsening can not be ruled out. However, it would be counter-productive to create panic by speculating only worst case scenario.

Why Culture Matters?

While earthquake resistant buildings and safety of dams and nuclear plants are important, orderly public behaviour under stress, as demonstrated by the Japanese people, is also vital.