About the Book

Asia Annual of 2006 like its predecessors, reiterates a multi disciplinary character through articles that deal wiith such different subjects as economics, history, culture, politics and international relations, that cover large time-spans and political spaces.  The 16 articles in this volume raise questions about identity, culture, development, security, diplomacy and alternative visions within various regions of Asia, namely South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Asia, East Asia and Central Asia.  A section of the articles focuses on the debates about a sedurity problematique in South Asia and prospects of engagement and regional cooperaton in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, the diplomatic rhetoric and counter rhetoric in international circles, and the inadequacy of ad hoc measures for 'resolving' the refugee crises in South Asia.  India-specific articles focus on the formation of cultural identities like 'a greater Bengal' or 'a sporting culture in late colonial Bengal" and issues of development and governance within the overall framework of globalization and liberalization.  Articles on Central Asia and its overlapping peripheries deal with geostrategic and geopolitical realities of Central Asia and the enigma of Siberia as Russia's resource frontier.  

A Russo-Japanese 'interlude' as a significant interval in Iran's constitutional revolution (1950-09), and the quest for 'a cultural convergence' in Southeast Asia are also highlighed.  Articles on West Asia and Afghanistan raise questions about the inconclusive nature of the Middle East peace processs and internal challenges that have been encountered by the new regime in Afghanisthan. 

It is hoped that the present volume will evoke a great deal of interest among social scientists and specialists working in the fields of history, economics, politics and international relations.

Contents:

1. Security Problematique : A South Asian Perspective

2. Refugee Problem in South Asia

3. Indian Divide on Economic Growth: Northeast India in the Perspective of Globalisation

4. Remaking of the Engine of Growth for the North-East India and its missing Components

5. Electoral Politics in West Bengal: A Predominant Party Government (1977-2006)

6. The Political Process in Afghanistan (2001-06) : Progress and Pitfalls

7. Some Observations on Political Systems, Religion and Culture of Western Myanmar, Northeastern India and Southeastern Bangladesh in the Context of Present

Trends in India-Myanmar Relations

8. The Growing Importance of the China Factor in India-ASEAN Relations

9. India-US Nuclear Deal and its Impact on India's Relations with China

10. Role of Energy in Russia's Relations with the Central Asian Republics: An Overview

11. Siberia:Regional Dynamics

12. Imaginative Geography and Ambivalent Boundaries: Creating the "Nation of Desire" in Uzbekistan

13. Israelis, Palestinians and the Search for Peace: An Analysis of the "Road Map" 

14. The Significance of an Interlude Russo-Jaspanese War and the Mashrutech Revolution

15. Colonail Cartography and Indigenous Responses: The Quest for a Greater Bengal and the Forging of a Cultural Cosmos in Eastern India during the Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century

16. The Legend of the 'Father of Indian Football' : Sport, Culture, Modernity in Late Colonial Bengal