An Interview with Professor Tan Tai Yong, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS)

30 Apr 2013

This month, we speak with Professor Tan Tai Yong, Vice-Provost at the National University of Singapore and Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS). Since ISAS dedicates itself to the study of contemporary South Asia, Professor Tan focuses his observations on the most important economic, political and security concerns in the region. He then goes on to highlight some of ISAS’s newest research initiatives.

Central to the mission of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) is the study of social, political and economic trends and developments in contemporary South Asia. What trends and transformations in this fast-changing region is ISAS paying particular attention to?

Economic and political developments in South Asia constitute the mainstay of our research agenda at ISAS. The Institute continues to develop deep analyses and insights on economic issues, trade, elections, political parties, personalities and movements in South Asian states. As there will be a number of key elections happening in 2013 and 2014, ISAS will study the ways in which the elections will be played out, as well as the impact and implications of these electoral outcomes.

ISAS is also interested in tracking the progress of economic developments in the South Asian countries, and will seek to explain the issues, factors, policies and dynamics that will either help or hinder further growth.

Given the above, I might add that ISAS recently launched three major research initiatives:

1. India’s Northeast Region and connectivity with Southeast Asia: This project will focus on developments in the northeast region of India and the potential for greater connectivity between India and Southeast Asia through the region.

2. The South Asian Diaspora: This effort will constitute a series of studies and events, including the staging of a major South Asian Diaspora Convention in November 2013, that will attempt to understand how the South Asian Diaspora could play a major role in the development of the region.

3. Youths in India: This will be a socio-economic analysis, focusing on a number of Indian states, where we will look at the roles that this section of Indian demography will play in the socio-economic as well as political development of the country.

 

How would you describe the relationship between South Asia and Southeast Asia (Singapore in particular)? What role has ISAS to play in this regard?

This relationship has to be seen in two different parts.

The first part is the India-ASEAN relationship, which has now been elevated to a strategic partnership. The strength of this relationship is manifested in the conclusion of a comprehensive India-ASEAN FTA, covering trade, services and investments, has strengthened this relationship. Bilateral relations between India and individual Southeast Asian countries are generally strong, but obviously more developed with some countries of Southeast Asia than with others.

The relationship between the rest of South Asia and Southeast Asia is generally sound. There are no major issues of contention between the countries of South Asia on the one hand, and those of Southeast Asia on the other. Bilateral relations, largely based on shared interests in security, trade and economic cooperation, have been good.

As an institute that is located in Singapore, ISAS is well placed to play a key role in deepening the understanding of Southeast Asia’s relations with South Asia. It seeks to do so by disseminating its research on South Asia to scholars, policy-makers and the business community in the Southeast Asian region while, at the same time, serving as an interlocutor on Southeast Asian affairs for its considerable number of networks in South Asia. One of the fundamental roles of ISAS, therefore, is to explain South Asia to Southeast Asia, and vice versa.

 

What, in your personal view, is/are the most pressing security concern(s) for the region?

Very broadly speaking, there are two areas that might constitute potential security concerns in the region:

1. The lead-up to and aftermath of the draw down of internal forces from Afghanistan in 2014 could lead to a period of uncertainty.

2. Occurrences of terrorist attacks and political violence in various parts of South Asia can have destabilizing effects on domestic politics and bilateral relations.

For additional information please see:
Northeast India-Southeast Asia Connectivity: Barrier to Bridge
Youth and Politics in India
More on Professor Tan Tai Yong

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