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CIAO DATE: 06/04
Volume 8, Number 1 (January-March 2004)
Eurasia: An Emerging Geopolitical Reality
The Eurasian Saga: Presence of the Past
Since the dawn of time peoples and cultures have migrated and propagated across the length and breath of Eurasia. This shared past dictates that Eurasian nations should form an economic and political union to restore the balance of power and maintain global peace, according to Côme Carpentier de Gourdon.
The Eurasian Land Bridge
The world may be on the brink of a massive economic depression caused by the unsustainable neoliberal speculative globalisation process. Jonathan Tennenbaum advocates integrating Europe and Asia through large-scale infrastructure development in order to engineer all round economic growth for several years.
Paris, Berlin, Moscow: Prospects for Eurasian Cooperation
The 'core countries' of the European Union, France and Germany, while becoming more inter-connected are finding it necessary to forge a strong alliance with Russia in order to protect their common interests. The growing cooperation between the three states can result in the formation of a Eurasian community, from the Atlantic to the Pacific in the view of Henri de Grossouvre.
Geopolitics of the New Central Asia
As Dashdorjiin Bayarkhuu points out, Central Asia attracts worldwide interest because of the region's strategic location and natural resources. As a result, the USA and various continental powers are vying for influence but the cause of peaceful regional development is best served by security cooperation and economic integration across Asia.
Proposal for Demilitarisation of the Tibetan Plateau
Vinod Saighal believes that the ecological and political interests of Eurasia mandate a systematic, coordinated effort to demilitarise the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan region. This implies the creation of an economic, strategic and cultural partnership between India and China so that Tibet may become once again a bridge between them and Central Asia.
South Asia and Regional Cooperation
Eduardo Faleiro points out that economy often takes precedence over political rivalries. Trade relations between India and Pakistan and with other SAARC member countries must be promoted to ensure peace and development in the region within the framework of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
India and Asean: Geopolitical Concerns
Partly because of her size, economic and military might, and partly in view of her strategic location, India has become a key partner for Southeast Asian countries with which trading, industrial, and financial links are multiplying in a context of growing cooperation for regional security, as noticed by S.S. Sreekumar.
Relations Between Japan and India in the New Millennium
Japan, as a 'trilateral power' has long been regarded as an honorary member of the Western world but her geographic position, culture and economic interests make her a major component of Asia, leading to a rapid development of her historic relations with India, writes Mohammed B. Alam.
India, China, Russia: Interactive Diversity
Acceptance of diversity in culture, religion and language is a must for the peaceful preservation of mankind. Lokesh Chandra recalls that India, China and Russia have communicated and shared spiritual, intellectual and commercial capital for millennia. By restoring and expanding these contacts and exchanges they can blaze a new trail for all mankind.
India as Seen from Ancient Europe
Gregory Bongard-Levin shows that Indian philosophy and culture have occupied an important place in the Graeco-Roman world, marking many religious and social institutions. Russian civilisation too has been influenced by Indian literature and spirituality since her beginnings, exemplifying the close and lasting relationship between Europe and Asia.
The EU-Asia Dialogue on Values
The European Union tends to judge Asian countries from its own subjective viewpoint. Georg Wiessala demonstrates that Buddhism and Confucianism enshrine values practised by Asians that appear wholly compatible with human rights when the latter are properly understood. Asia and Europe may hence come together around these universally shared principles.
Eurasia Viewed from an Historical Height
Eurasia, the world's heartland found its principal political expression in the Russian imperial state, an heir to the Mongol Horde, and in its successor, the Soviet Union. Andrey Foursov argues that as the only transcontinental power, Russia contained Anglo-Saxon liberal hegemonic expansion for two centuries. A new Eurasian Union is needed to protect the old continent's peoples and cultures.
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