Cultural Dimensions of India’s Look-Act East Policy

Dr Sarita Dash is an independent researcher who has received her PhD from the Centre for South Asian Studies of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her research interests include Cultural Dimensions of Indian Foreign Policy, Odisha Studies, and Culture and Identity Related Issues in South Asia.

1 Introduction.- Part I Historical Antecedents and Current Cultural Practices: ‘A Nation that Doesn’t Honour Its Past Has No Future’—Goethe.- 2 The Past: Contextualising the Cultural Roots.- 3 Contemporary Agents and Their Workings.- Part II Cultural Diplomacy Instruments: ‘Seek Ye Knowledge, Even unto China’—Hadith.- 4 Religious Diplomacy.- 5 Heritage Diplomacy.- 6 Popular Culture.- 7 Broadcasting, Higher Education, Tourism and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) .- Part III Focused Undertakings and their Implications: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—Maha Upanishad.- 8 Look–Act East Policy and the Northeast Region.- 9 The Diasporic Dimension.- 10 Hindu Nationalism and Its Ramifications.- Part IV Conclusion: “To us the most striking feature of ancient Indian civilization is its humanity.”- A.L Basham in "The Wonder That was India".- 11 Overview.- 12 The Way Forward.- PostScript.- Index.