India and Asia: Changing Perspectives

Inaugurating the Asian Relations Conference some thirty-five years ago, Jawaharlal Nehru had mused that both India and Asia were poised on the threshold of a new period of history–a watershed dividing two epochs of endeavour. The colonial world was crumbling and old empires were being transformed into young nations. The dynamic continent of Asia was slowly finding itself again and stirring to take its place. In the years immediately after India's independence its foreign policy was informed and marked by a strong Asian consciousness. The transition from this Asian phase to global concerns has disturbed many Indians as it is felt that it was only due to its Asian orientation that newly independent India was able to carve out for itself a prominent role in world affairs. However, it is useful to remember that when imperialism was establishing itself India was the hub of its power. Colonial control of China or Iran hinged on it. It is difficult to escape the conclusion then, that Nehru's consciousness was shaped more by anti-imperialist fervour and not merely conditioned by a vague awareness of an Asian identity. To many persons Asia today is just a geographical expression—a continent which unlike Europe or Latin America is not dominated by a single culture. The term Asia is used by most non-Asians to mean diverse things; “Asia†is usually distinguished from the Islamic World, and China and Japan are excluded. It is easy to exaggerate the strength of cultural bonds that unite the Asians. The vast Asiatic continent has seen the flourishing of at least three major civilizations—Indian, Sinic and Islamic. These divisions are further complicated by ethnic and racial differences and not much useful purpose can be served by trying to base programmes for peace and stability in Asia on this elusive shared heritage and kindred identity. In the aftermath of the Second World War there was a keen desire on the part of the Asian countries to work together, to confer together and to look to one another to accelerate the process of decolonisation and to consolidate their newly won independence. This was undoubtedly due to a feeling that the Asian countries might still be exploited or dominated by Europe or countries elsewhere. Against such a backdrop, India could not be ignored. Nehru strove throughout his life to build and reinforce an Asian personality inspite of many obstacles so that the Asian nations may be better equipped to grapple with complex challenges they were confronted with. He was not entirely successfic! in this heroic ettdeasour. There is 110 point in lanienting over the failure. That phase is over. What should be remembered and emphasised is that the Indo-centric Asian policy was not born of some idle fancy of a whimsica1 leader but had emerged from the material facts of life. The international scene has altered considerably with the passage of time and Indlan perspectives on Asia hare changed correspondingly. To many of us it seems, at times at least, that todays problems are quite different front the challenges of yesteryears. We cannot solve out individual or regional problems unless we look at them in a global perspective. What then remains of the concept of Asia?