RIS Diary Vol.2. No.3, July 2004. Also available in pdf format.

Conferences, Workshops, Seminars, and Meetings

Current Research/Advisory Activities

Latest Publications

Biotechnology and Development: Challenges and Opportunities for Asia
by Sachin Chaturvedi and S.R. Rao (eds.), published jointly by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore and RIS.

India-ASEAN Partnership in An Era of Globalization: Reflections by Eminent Persons
(Second imprint), published jointly by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore and RIS. 

India-ASEAN Cooperation in Information and Communication Technologies: Issues and Prospects by K.J. Joseph & Govindan Parayil, 2004
Against the backdrop of India-ASEAN cooperation since the early 1990s, and the recent initiatives towards taking the partnership to new heights, the present paper examines India ASEAN cooperation in IT during the recent past and highlights the prospects for the future. It has been argued that India-ASEAN cooperation could be instrumental in addressing the ASEAN divide – the development gap between old and new ASEAN countries. For India, it could help diversifying its software export markets on the one hand and facilitate reviving its lagging hardware sector. Also, an exploitation of the synergies between India’s software capability and the hardware capability of old ASEAN could facilitate enhancing the IT capability in Asia as a whole – a prerequisite for making 21st century Asia’s century. While, a good beginning has been made at the instance of Governments and private sector, the paper calls for hastening the process and highlights certain specific areas for focused actions.

Monetary Cooperation in South Asia: Potential and Prospects  by Sweta Chaman Saxena and Mirza Allim Baig, 2004
This paper examines the potential and prospects of monetary cooperation in South Asia. A close appraisal of optimum currency area criteria, macroeconomic convergence criteria, and geo-political factors suggests that there are huge potential and growing prospects for monetary cooperation in the region. The study recognizes that monetary cooperation is essential for growth and prosperity in the region, but a lot more needs to be done to achieve the goal of monetary and economic union. The paper suggests road map on the way to the full form of monetary cooperation in the region.

National Innovation Systems and India’s IT Capability: Are there any lessons for ASEAN Newcomers? by Nagesh Kumar and K J Joseph, 2004
This paper traces the factors that have led to the build-up of substantial IT capability by India. It is shown that the National System of Innovation evolved overtime as an outcome of the policies initiated by the government, has been instrumental in facilitating India’s IT success. These included, but not limited to, development of a system of higher education in engineering and technical disciplines, creation of an institutional infrastructure for S&T policy making and implementation, building centres of excellence and numerous other institutions for technology development. In addition, the institutional interventions like the setting up of the software technology parks were highly helpful for IT exports. The paper then draws lessons from the Indian experience for the new members of ASEAN, viz. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam in their attempt in harnessing the potential of ICTs. The paper argues that though the road ahead is long as well as rocky, much could be learned from India in to facilitate their leapfrogging. The paper also underscores the need for cooperating with India in developing their IT capabilities.

ASEAN-India Economic Relations: Current Status and Future Prospects by Rahul Sen, Mukul G. Asher and Ramkishen S. Rajan
This paper analyzes recent trends in merchandise trade, services, investments, and manpower flows between India and ASEAN, and assesses future prospects for economic cooperation. Since India’s Look-East policy initiated in the early 1990s, there has been steady progress in economic cooperation and supporting institutional structures between India and ASEAN. There has also been a welcome diversification of India’s trade with ASEAN both in terms of the share of individual members in total trade, and goods and services being traded. The analysis in the paper is consistent with the view that India’s economic structure is largely complementary to ASEAN economies, and therefore there are significant opportunities for mutual gain. In Indian policy and business circles, ASEAN continues to be regarded as an economically important region. The paper however argues that a mindset change is needed among ASEAN policy makers and businesses before potential for mutual gains can be fully tapped. The paper concludes with specific suggestions for expanding cooperation between India and ASEAN countries.

Chaturvedi, Sachin. 2004. Contributed a write up on "Debate on Agri Biotechnology in India" for TERI’s Annual Magazine TerraGreen.

De, Prabir. 2004. "India in the BIMST-EC: Some Issues", India Quarterly, Vol. LIX, Nos. 3 & 4.

Jospeh, K. J. 2004. "SMEs under Globalisation: Can ICTs Help?" Productivity News, Special Supplement, May.

Kumar, Nagesh. 2004. "India" in Managing FDI in a Globalizing Economy: Asian Experiences by Douglas H. Brooks and Hal Hill (eds.) , New York: Palgrave Macmillan for Asian Development Bank.

Mehta, Rajesh. 2004. "India: State of the Economy" The South Asian Journal, published by Free Media Foundation and facilitated by South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), in April-June, No. 4, pp. 92-103.

Mehta, Rajesh. 2004. "Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: Outstanding Implementation Concerns" Focus WTO special focus on "Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, May-June issue.