Beyond Strategies: Cultural Dynamics in Asian Connections

Priya Singh, Suchandana Chatterjee, Anita Sengupta and Arpita Basu Roy

While strategic issues continue to be the critical element for foreign policy formulation there are significant dimensions outside the hard core of policy framework that remain by and large unappreciated in policy-related literature. These dimensions envelop a rather wide range of actions/activities that essentially comprise what could be broadly referred to as constituting cultural dynamics. These entail looking beyond the radar of strategic relationships, at socio-cultural engagements encompassing both institutions and communities. These in turn involve a large number of citizens cutting across boundaries and reiterating and reemphasising a sense of belonging or (un)belonging. This volume is an attempt at looking beyond the realms of strategy in the Asian geopolitical space. This compilation of essays, commentaries, research notes and film review is an attempt at presenting a nuanced understanding, analysis and appreciation of the cultural linkages in the Asian milieu.

Priya Singh, Suchandana Chatterjee, Anita Sengupta and Arpita Basu Roy

are Fellows at the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata , India .