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International Conference held on Central Asia at Centre for Eurasian Studies, Mumbai University

Irfan Shahid| Centre for Eurasian Studies| Mumbai University

On March 15th and 16th 2013, The Centre for Central Eurasian Studies held an international Conference on Central Asia entitled, “Dynamics of Central Asia:  Issues and Challenges” at  University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus Santacurz (E) Mumbai. The Conference highlighted the challenges to Central Asia in term socioeconomic and geopolitics aspects. More than two hundred people from various parts of India and abroad participated in this programme. The Conference started with the introductory speech of Dr. Sanjay Deshpande, Director Centre for Eurasian Studies at University of Mumbai and key note speech of a senior diplomat and former Ambassador of India Mr. M.K Badrkumar. During his presentation, He discussed the various aspects of Central Asia specially the role of Arab Spring in Central Asia in past and present context. He also stressed that India should make a strategic policy to cultivate relation with central Asia. The aim of the conference is to study the problems and prospects of the Central Asia. The Central Asia region is treasury of various kinds of minerals and energy and gas. The Importance of this region suddenly has grown when China started making trade relation with Central Asia. Now many countries like Russia, USA, and Iran are trying to build up their relation with Central Asia. Though Central Asia is underdeveloped region but it is has abundance of natural resources and minerals that is attracting many countries to jump into this region. Coming scenario will be in dearth of minerals, oil and gas due to extravagant use and unwise consumption of natural resources. The scarcity of natural resources and energy around the globe will tend the sight of various developed countries toward this region. In coming a few decades Economies of Central Asia will an emerging economy of the world. Considering the said issues and challenges, Centre for Eurasian Studies, University of Mumbai organised this conference to study the challenges and prospects of the Central Asia. The conference was divided into eight sessions in full two days. First session was inaugural session; second session was related to political issues in the Central Asia; third and fourth session was concerned with economical and social issues of Central Asia; the fifth and sixth session was related to foreign, geo-political and security issue of the Central Asia ; the seventh session discuss the India’s role and strategy in Central Asia. Eighth session was the last and valedictory session which ends on the valedictory speech of former Ambassador Mr. Ashok Sajjanhar and concluding speech of Dr. Sanjay Deshpande, Director Centre for Eurasian Studies. Dr. Deshpande thanks all the people who help to make this conference successful. Contact Number: 91 8080997775