East Asia

About Centre

The East Asia Centre is dedicated to study and research the domestic and foreign policies of individual countries of the region as well as India’s multifaceted relationships with these countries. With respect to China, the Centre’s research foci are its foreign policy (particularly towards the US, Russia, Central Asia and Asia Pacific), domestic politics, economy, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and India’s relationship with China in all its dimensions. The Centre’s research also focuses on Taiwan, its domestic politics, Sino-Taiwanese relationship and Indo-Taiwanese relationship, Hong Kong and India-Hong Kong relations. Japan and Korea are the other major focus of the Centre, with its research focused on their domestic politics, foreign policy and comprehensive bilateral relationships with India. The geopolitics of the Asia Pacific and the Korean peninsula are also studied in the Centre.

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

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

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.

Namrata Goswami
January 17, 2012
IDSA Comments

Visit of Pakistan Army Chief to China

India will need to factor the growing PLA presence in and around Pakistan and be prepared to engage an increasingly confident Pakistan propped by Chinese support and driven by Chinese interests in the region.

Mandip Singh
January 17, 2012
IDSA Comments

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

Challenges Before Japan in 2012

This Issue Brief assesses the pitfalls and opportunities as well as the likely course of action that the Japanese political leadership is going to define in the coming months.