One of our main activities is organising and hosting Luncheon Briefings on pertinent topics of EU-Asia relations. Beginning with an informal lunch, the Briefings usually last for 1.5 hours, including questions.

Attendees include EIAS members and other interested parties.

Experts wishing to discuss a possible topic for a Luncheon Briefing are invited to contact EIAS Director Dr Willem van der Geest.

The Return of Congress! - India’s 2004 Elections and Beyond"
European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)
Rue des Deux Eglises 35, B-1000 Brussels
(Metro: Arts-Loi/Kunst-Wet)

EIAS Luncheon Briefing, 28 May 2004

Chair: Mr Malcolm Subhan, Vice Chair, European Institute for Asian Studies

With speakers:
Dr Kunal Sen, Reader in Economics, University of East Anglia
Dr John Zavos, Centre for Applied South Asian Studies, University of Manchester
Dr Apurba Kundu, Senior Research Fellow, European Institute for Asian Studies

India, the world’s largest democracy, second-most populous state, fifth-largest economy and sixth declared nuclear weapons power has just returned a Congress government to power after five years of BJP rule.

This stunning result has myriad implications for the domestic and international economy and security of India. How were the elections won and lost? What is the future of India’s programme of economic liberalisation? What are the implications for India’s relations with Pakistan and other countries? This luncheon briefing will examine these and other questions related to the results of India’s 2004 parliamentary elections.

Presentations:

Dr Kundu's presentation - Adobe pdf or Power Point
Dr Sen's presentation - Adobe pdf or Power Point
Dr Zavos' presentation - Adobe pdf

Photo Gallery

Letter of Invitation (pdf)

Speakers' CV's (pdf)