Dialogue/Interactions
A Special Interaction Programme with HE Ms. Pattarat Hongtong- Ambassador of Thailand to India'
5 April, 2022 Conference Hall, Department of Political Science ,Gauhati University
Centre for South-East Asian Studies and Department of Political Science, Gauhati University organised a Special Interaction
Programme with HE Ms. Pattarat Hongtong- Ambassador of Thailand to India; Mr. Kritnarong Sereeswad- First Secretary; and Ms. Thanchanok Uthaiwan- Second Secretary of Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, India on 5th April, 2022.
HE Ambassador and Delgates from Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, India had an interaction with Dr. H. K.Nath, Registrar of Gauhati University; Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Director (Honorary) of Centre for South East Asian Studies, Gauhati University; Prof. Jayanta Krishna Sarmah, Head of Political Science Department, Gauhati University and other Faculty Members of Department of Political Science, Gauhati University for forging academic and research collaboration.
Delegates from Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, India also had an interaction with the young students and motivated them to go for exchange courses.
A Dialogue on 'European Union and India'
09 March, 2017 Conference Hall, New Academic Building ,Gauhati University
A Dialogue on ‘European Union and India’ was held on the 9th of March, 2016 in the premises of the New Academic Building, Gauhati University at 1 p.m. with an 11-member delegation of the European Union who sought an
interactive discussion with the students on matters ranging from electoral politics, the upcoming state assembly elections to the challenges facing the EU today. The delegation was led by Anne Marchal, First Councillor, Head of Political Affairs, Delegation of the EU to India. The diplomats forming the delegation were: Stijn Mols, Mrs. Laure Huberty, Christophe Meyenburg, Dr. Istvan Pokoradi, Mr. Indrek Erikson, Mr. Christian Wagner, Miss. Anna Uggla, Miss. Seija Kinni, Beatriz Lorenzo, Benjamin Weize, Gilles Roduit.
In her speech Anne Marchal, First Councillor, Head of Political Affairs, Delegation of the EU to India, who was also the main speaker of the event, highlighted the importance of state politics and the assembly elections and the duty of a diplomat to understand such dynamics. She started her deliberations with a simulation exercise with her opening question on what is primarily important to the electorate in Assam among the triad of Corruption, Development and Identity. This was followed by other questions in quick succession, the subjects of which ranged from the viability of the contending parties to win in Assam, the role of media in campaigning and the impact of youth and women participation. Since development was the desirable answer for most people, she asked which party could effectively cater to those needs. Marchal also raised questions on the feasibility of a party like AAP in Assam. It was opined by respondents that it is difficult because politics in Assam faces the challenge of transcending identity issues. There exists a symbiotic relationship between identity and development which makes a ‘common man’ party difficult if not downright implausible.
The interactive session was followed by felicitation of the guests and a presentation on the EU, forwarded by Anne Marchal. She traced a brief history of the EU and the existential threat it faces today in the light of the refugee crisis and the referendum by Britain and the Eurozone crisis which made Greece a household name only some time back. Questions today have emerged on the future of EU and Marchal had to say that although the Brexit referendum is awaited with bated breath the EU seeks stability throughout. The EU-India diplomatic relations too have seen a history of more than 50 years. The EU looks forward to deepening ties and Marchal also called for educational exchanges between the two.
Interactive Session With H.E. Cho Hyun- Ambassador of the Republic of Korea
Date: 22 September, 2017
Vanue: Conference Hall, New Academic Building Gauhati University
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The Centre for South East Asian Studies in collaboration with the Department of Political Science, Gauhati University had organized an interactive session with the Ambassador of
of Republic of Korea, H. E. Cho Hyun as the chief guest of the programme. In his speech, the ambassador spoke about how globalization has fostered mutual cooperation and collaboration among nations of the world in various areas staring from politics-strategic to that off economic and cultural ones. He expressed his personal observations on India’s various aspects related to Indian society and stated his own vision of a developed India. He also gave a rough outline on the history of Republic of Korea i.e its departure from Buddhism to new-Confucianism and thus the emergence of a new Korea with complete separation between religion and politics. He proceeded to highlight the phase of imperial control of Japan over Korea that finally ended on 1945 with the defeat of Japan. He also elaborated on the factors that lead to the division of Korea in to North Korea and Republic of Korea and also put some light on the disturbed phase of 1950, when North Korea attacked Republic of Korea. Finally, he focused on the factors that impelled rapid urbanization and thus, the hike of its economy in the post 1960’s period.
The major emphasis of the speech was on strengthening economic and trade related ties between the two countries. In this context, the ambassador referred to India’s PM Narendra Modi’s mega policies such as Make in India, Made in India, Smart Cities, etc. and expressed his hope for new opportunities in such areas that may strengthen the economy of both the nations. He proceeded to emphasiz on special strategic relationship between India and Republic of South Korea on issues of climate change, mutiny security, cyber security, nuclear energy and so on. In his Speech, H. E. Cho Hyun also emphasized on vibrant cultural exchange between two nations and finally concluded his lecture by highlighting institutional and academic cooperation between two nations through various student exchange programme.
Interactive Session With H.E. Suchitra Drai
Ambassador of India to The Kingdom of Thailand
Date: 19 December, 2019
Vanue: Conference Hall, Vice Chancellor's Office, Gauhati University
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The Centre for South East Asian Studies, Gauhati University organised an interaction programme with the Ambassador of India to Thailand Ms. Suchitra Durai on 19th December, 2019 at the Conference Room of Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, Prof. Pratap Jyoti Handique welcomed the Ambassador Ms. Suchitra Durai, Ambassador of India to Thailand and Mr. R. Swaminathan, Former Ambassador of India to Austria and Egypt.
At the outset while chairing the session, Prof. Handique gave a brief introduction about Gauhati University and the Centre for South East Asian Studies. Prof. Handique highlighted the activities of the Centre and the remarkable work the Centre doing in the academic field. The Vice Chancellor appreciated the already conducted international students exchange programmes with the National University of Laos and Pridi Banomyomng International College, Thammasat University (Bangkok, Thailand) initiated by the Centre. In his remark, Prof. Handique shown his keen interest in extending diversifying this academic collaboration and exchange of students to different disciplines and more particularly to the science disciplines. Prof. Handique believe that bio-technology can be a major discipline of academic collaboration between Assam/North East India and Thailand as both are known for traditional medicines and ample scope lies in coordinating joint research activities in this area.
Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Director of Centre for South East Asian Studies, Gauhati University talked about the North East India and Assam’s ethnic and cultural connections with Thailand and other South East Asian countries. Prof. Mahanta expressed his keenness to connect with other universities and institutions of Thailand as a part of the Indian Studies Programme, which is a very popular course in Thailand and several other South East Asian countries and the immediate neighbouring countries in the Himalayan region.
Ambassador of India to Thailand, Ms. Suchitra Durai thanked the Vice Chancellor and the Faculty members of Gauhati University for organising the interaction. During her discussion with the Vice Chancellor and other faculty members, Ambassador Durai reiterated the need to promote people to people connections with Thailand and rest ASEAN member countries. Ambassador Durai also outlined the need to diversify the disciplines for international students exchange and Ms Durai shared the Thai approach that India and North East India can be a better space for Information Technology, English Language Teachings, Textile Designing etc. in exchanging students. Ms Durai also commented that as Thailand is an ageing country, North East India can be a major source of human resources to fill the domestic resource gap in Thailand. Apart from this Ambassador Ms Durai also shared her own approach and suggestions about how to connect with the prestigious universities of Thailand.
The discussion was followed by an interaction of the Ambassador with the faculty members present in the meeting. Ambassador Ms Durai precisely responded to the queries of the faculty members.
