SPIR Seminar Series: Dr. Jean Luc Racine on “Islamabad, New Delhi, Beijing, Kabul. Can 2016 build upon the ambiguous legacy of 2015?”

School of Politics and International Relations organized a lecture by Dr. Jean Luc Racine, Emeritus CNRS Senior Fellow at the Centre for South Asian Studies (School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences -EHESS- Paris) with the title “Islamabad, New Delhi, Beijing, Kabul. Can 2016 build upon the ambiguous legacy of 2015?” on February 3, 216. Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad, Director SPIR, welcomed the distinguished guest. Dr. Racine gave an articulate talk about the contours of policy, strategy, diplomacy and conflict in South Asia with reference to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Various dimensions were analyzed in both historical and contemporary perspectives. Prof shared interesting observations about the political economy of the region; he noted that none of Asian states are biggest trade partners of each other while the cumulative trade magnitude of South Asia is less than their partners in Europe. Moreover he critically evaluated the diplomacy by Indian Prime Minister Narendra modi with Pakistan particularly in the last quarter of 2015. He shared his knowledge on Track-II and effects of secret diplomacy between the two countries. In addition he also discussed the impacts of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the prospects of peace in Afghanistan. The session was followed by interactive discussion with the students and faculty of SPIR. Professor Dr. Rukhsana A. Siddiqui concluded the session and thanked the participants.