Centre for Policy Alternatives

Round Tables

Tibet Studies: Tibetology in Asia Pacific Countries
Co-organized by: Association of ASIA Scholars and Centre for Policy Alternatives
April 23 2010-|- CPA Conference Room, 10 Hailey Road
Opening Remarks: 10-10:20 Reena Marwah , AAS

Keynote Address:
10:20-10:50
Professor Claude Arpi on Tibet: A historical perspective

Session I: Tibetology in Contemporary times 11:15-13.00
Chair: Chih-yu Shih
Discussant: Dr. E. Sridharan

Presentations:

Colin Mackerras : Tibet studies in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore
Prof. Du Yongbin : Evolution of Tibetology in China
Prof. Simon Teng-chi Chang: Tibet, Changing Perspectives?—A Theoretical Reflection on Major Powers’ Views on Tibet since the1900s 13:00 to 13: 45

Session II: Comparative epistemology of Tibetan Studies 13:45 to 16:00
Chair: Colin Mackerras
Discussant: Sangeeta Thapliyal and Bali Ram Deepak

Presentations:

Sharad Soni and Reena Marwah: Tibet as a factor in India-China relations: Some reflections
Tsung Han Wu : Comparative epistemology of Tibetan studies, particularly Indian
Tibetan studies and Australian Studies.Brief Discussion : Lessons of Taiwan for the Tibet question , by Yan Sun Professor, Political Science, City University of New York, Queens College and the Graduate Center ( Paper to be introduced by Prof. Chih-yu Shih ).

Closing Remarks: Chih-yu Shih

Reforming the MEA to cope with the Challenges of a Changing World
July 2 -|- CPA Conference Room, 10 Hailey Road
Main Speaker: Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal

Scope: It is well recognized that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is one of the most understaffed and under-equipped foreign ministries among the major and emerging powers today. While there have been ad hoc calls for an expansion of the cadre strength and annual intake of officers, there has been little commentary on the broader challenges that confront the MEA in the 21st century.

Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal brings a wealth of experience as a practitioner and someone familiar with the institutional intricacies of India’s foreign ministry. The RT’s objective is two-fold. Firstly, to place the MEA’s evolving role in the larger national security decision-making apparatus. In this regard, CPA plans to host future round tables from the perspective of other national security agencies. Secondly, to deliberate on the type of reforms necessary to maintain MEA’s position as an important as relevant arbiter of India’s foreign relations.

Discussion Themes

Is there a consensus on what reforms are necessary for the MEA?
What role does the MEA play in a scenario where other government agencies are acquiring greater sway in national security decision making? Has interagency coordination improved or stagnated in recent years?
Given the rising profile of the NSA and PMO in all security matters, what role does the MEA envisage for itself? Is it content as a facilitator of political decisions or are there bottom-up innovations that inform policy?
Given the technical demands on contemporary foreign ministries across the international system (i.e. arms control, trade negotiations etc.), does the MEA require a transition from a generalist cadre base to one based on functional and area specializations? If so, would this also imply a revamping of the entire civil service examination system and mode of intake that has remained unchanged since independence?
Are incentives aligned with the broader objectives? Within the ministry, are adequate resources dedicated toward policy planning?
Aside, the capability of the incoming IFS officer, what is the optimal requirement of the MEA force? (According to anecdotal estimates, the MEA could be operating as low as one-eighth of the desired capacity.) According to current proposals, the IFS base is to be doubled over the next five years.
Is lateral entry a feasible option for the Indian scenario? What are the costs of benefits?
How does India compare with other foreign ministries in her peer group (i.e. BRIC) in terms of size of force, institutional capacity, morale, prestige etc.? (According to estimates, Brazil is four times India’s size; China’s seven times larger).
What are the political and bureaucratic obstacles to reforms?
What role can the media play in influencing political and elite discourse on this issue?

The McCrystal Report: An Assessment
October 26 -|- CPA Conference Room, 10 Hailey Road
Main Speaker: Mr. Anand Sahay (The Asian Age)