EUROPEAN INDIAN STUDIES CENTRE It is proposed to set up a Centre to encourage the study of India in Europe. In London it will provide accommodation, a meeting place, and fellowships and scholarships. In New Delhi it will provide a base for visiting scholars and their activities, in association with other institutes in India. The proposal began with a generous offer of support from Dr. Swraj Paul of the Caparo Group Ltd., and has been developed in the Centre of South Asian Studies at the SOAS by the chairman, Dr. Peter Robb, and Mr. K.N. Malik, Senior Research Fellow, in consultation with the Director of SOAS, the Indian High Commissi- on, the British Foreign Office, and many others.The British Prime Minister, Mr Major, endorsed the proposal in a recent speech in New Delhi. WHY LONDON? London is one of the world's great centres of information and expertise. The University of London is already the home for many famous centres of advanced studies, among wich the India Centre will take its place. In SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies) between 40 and 50 full-time academics concentrate on South Asia, and the library holds the largest South Asian collection in Britain. London's collections on India are enormous, and only a fraction of them has been studied. In london there are many practitioners in Indo-European relations in business, the media, NGOs and government. London is thus the inevitable port of call for students of India, from Britain and Europe, from the rest of the world, or even from India itself. Moreover, Indo-British relations are long-standing and strong, and now, significantly, part of wider Indo-European connections. WHY NEW DELHI? There are several bodies in India which serve to represent and assist foreign scholars working on India. These are national in basis; examples are the institutes serving Americans and Canadians. Scholars in Britain have long felt the need for a similar body, to augment the work of the British Council (which is naturally most concerned with projecting British culture); the British Association for South Asian Studies endorsed the idea most recently at its annual conference in 1992, but as yet it has not been possible to set up such a body. Now, it seems appropria- te to seek to set up one institute that would serve the needs of scholars from all over the European Community. It would assist in their work, organise joint ventures between Europeans and Indians, and facilitate links between institutions. WHY AN INDIAN STUDIES CENTRE? The question is as much what India can do for Europe as what can be done in Europe for India. India is important to Europe as a great civilisation, as a huge and populous nation, and as a major regional power. For scholars today as in the past, India provides a crucial test of much of the understanding of the world and its problems. Over a million people of Indian origin live in Europe, many making major contributions in various fields. Yet there is no European institute, of the kind proposed, dedicated to the study of India. Two main needs have been identified. The first is to provide a forum for the study of India in Europe. The subjects of particu- lar interest and importance will change from time to time. The second need is to raise the profile of Indian studies generally by attracting scholars and students to work on Indian topics. For many in Britain and Europe, and for many in India, it is hard to conduct research in London. There are also difficulties in instituting and coordinating work by European scholars in India. HOW WILL THE CENTRE OPERATE? It would be an institute of advanced study, a distinct and independent body, defining its own character and priorities. It would also be associated with the University of London and affiliated to SOAS (as an educational charity). Dedicated to performing a general European role, it would establish close ties with centres of Indian studies elsewhere. In London it would include accommodation for temporary fellows and researchers, offices, and seminar rooms. It would be run by a director and an administrator under a board of management. The link with SOAS would help reduce adminitrative and other costs, and also allow members of the Centre access to the Library and other facilities of SOAS and the University. In New Delhi it is hoped that the institute would acquire its own accommodation; it would enter into an association with universities and institutes of advanced study and such bodies as the Nehru Memorial Library and Museum. WHAT ARE THE INITIAL PRIORITIES? First, it is intended that the Centre should be open to scholars and students from a wide range of European and Indian centres. A similar proposal has alredy been raised between representatives of SOAS and other centres elswhere in Europe, notably in Amsterdam, Paris and Heidelberg. Affiliations will be invited from all such institutions of standing, including other centres in Scandinavia and Italy, and centres in Britain, for example those in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Hull, Oxford and Sussex. Naturally very close links will be established with universities and research councils in India. Secondly, the Centre will recruit temporary Fellows and students of highest calibre, and will seek to attract further placements by special agreements with funding bodies and donors. In London such scholars will also have access to the facilities of SOAS, and, where appropriate, will be registered there for research degrees. In New Delhi they would be affiliated to the Centre and/or to co-operating institutions. Thirdly, particular projects will be selected for special attention. Subject to the decisions of the management board, the Centre is expected to concentrate on environmental and develop- mental studies, trade, the Indian diaspora, and European-Indian relations. WHAT HELP IS SOUGHT? The Centre will need an endowment to enable it to obtain premises and to fund its basic activities.It is expected that it would also raise funds subsequently for special projects, and that some of its activities would be self-financing from fees or grants. We expect support from the British and Indian governments and from the European Commission to mark the long history and present warmth of their relations. Sponsorship could be of three kinds:(a) contributions to the endowment fund, to which a very substantial commitment has already been made by the Caparo Group; (b) one-time grants to assist with the initial costs;(c) agreed allocation to the Centre of parts of existing budgets (for example for exchange visits or research studentships). SOME DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL The Indian Studies Centre will: (1) promote, and develop priorities in, research in Europe on Indian civilisation, history, culture, politics, economic development, and international relations - particularly on contemporary issues, the Indian diaspora, and Indo-European relations; (2) provide a base for European scholars working in India, and assist in making links between them and Indian scolars there; (3) provide a focus and meeting points in London and New Delhi for those interested in such fields of study, including scholars, Indians in Europe, journalists and businessmen; (4) award research studentships, post-doctoral fellowships and temporary visiting lectureships and professorships (at SOAS); (5) offer residential accommodation in London to such students, fellows and visitors; (6) co-ordinate or co-operate in special workshops and projects in both London and New Delhi in association with other national and international organisations; (7) encourage scolarly publications, and public awareness, about India. Thus the Centre will significantly enhance research opportuni- ties, help create a critical mass of activity, bring Indian studies to a wide audience, and benefit both India and Europe. The two most important aspects which we lack at present and which we will make the Centre stand out from all others, are (a) residential accommodation for visiting scholars and students; (b) an institutional base for European scholars in Europe; (c) an ability to provide from its own resources for the encouragement of research on India within Europe. In London the present situation will be transformed by the provision of quite a small number of flats and rooms, and by the existence of a research and fellowship fund. In New Delhi there is also much that can be done with most permanent establishment to facilitate study and exchanges between Europe and India. The Centre will promote an interdisciplinary approach, and develop research techniques, especially for issues which need urgent attention at present. Some of these are: (1) the use and development of natural resources, with regard to the consequences for environment and society; (2) global communications and their implications for local cultures; (3) transmigration, religious and ethno-nationalism; (4) strategic security concerns and international co-operation; (5) technology-transfer and its impact on economic development; and (6) systems and problems of governance. It is not proposed to place any restriction upon the candidates for awards. It is equally important for the Centre on the one hand to provide opportunities for scholars and students in Europe to study India, and on the other hand to allow Indian academics to work in Britain and share their expertise with Europeans. The Centre will need an initial capital fund, an also raise monies for particular projects. It will appoint full-time administrators in London and India, but its director would in the first instance be a member of the academic staff of SOAS. The board of management will include scholars at other institutions within Europe, businessmen, officials, and diplomats. A larger advisory board of correspondents will be set up on an internatio- nal basis. To mark the Centre as an entity, its building in London will provide meeting rooms, office space, and limited residential accommodation for married visitors, and for persons sharing facilities. It will be located in accommodation on a site on or close to central campus of the University of London. An office will also be needed in New Delhi, but the possibility of providing fuller accommodation will be explored. For more information contact: SOAS Thornhaugh Street Rusell Square London WC 1H OXG Tel: (44) 71-6372388 Fax: (44) 71-46363897