“Asian dialogue” in the context of the global geopolitical turbulence: Review of a new scientific and educational programme of SPbSU and the Gorchakov Fund

Abstract

The review article describes the results of the new scientific and educational program held at St. Petersburg State University in June 2023, as part of a joint project of SPbSU and the Gorchakov Fund. The 1st “Asian Dialogue” was devoted to the problems of South Asian countries, their socio-political, trade and economic issues, as well as relations with the global powers. The organizers combined experts’ discussions with educational activities for the participants of the Summer School, who received an excellent opportunity to communicate directly with a group of well-known experts from Russia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The educational part included debates, a foresight session, situational analysis and a master class. The invited experts took part in most of these activities, so the participants of the summer school got an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of a prominent jury. The scientific part included several expert sessions dedicated to the complex issues of relations between South Asian states in the context of current geopolitical turbulence. The key problems of the South Asian region and the specifics of South Asian countries’ relations with Russia were discussed in detail, including the nature of bilateral political, trade and economic relations in the context of anti-Russian sanctions, as well as regional security features. Each expert discussion was accompanied by a long question and answer session from the participants of the summer school, who appreciated this opportunity. In general, both participants and experts expressed their hope for the development of such a scientific and educational format in future.

Keywords:

South Asia, international cooperation, summer school, expert discussions, international and regional studies, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan