Perspectives Asia-Pacific- Navigating Changes in Society, Culture, Gender and Policy

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Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury (Ph.D), a Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Kolkata, specialises in South Asia's regional cooperation; Bay of Bengal and Indo- Pacific geopolitics; energy politics and forced migration. She is the Editor of ORF Bangla and serves on editorial boards for the Journal of Indian Ocean Research (Routledge) and Borders in Globalisation Review (University of Victoria, Canada). Dr. Basu Ray Chaudhury is a Visiting Fellow (2012) at Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Paris and the recipient of prestigious awards such as the PSBT Senior Media Fellowship (2007) and the Kodikara Award (1998-99). She is also an alumna of the National Defense University, Washington, DC. Her recent publications include India's Relations with Neighbouring South and Southeast Asian Countries: Perspectives on Look East to Act East (co-edited, 2023); Caste and Partition of Bengal: The Story of Dalit Refugees (co-authored, 2022) and New Futures of BIMSTEC: Connectivity, Commerce, and Security (co-edited, 2021), among others. Her work explores key geopolitical, socio-economic, and security issues in South and Southeast Asia.

This book is a compilation of selected papers presented in the 11th Biennial International Conference on Asia Pacific from Past to Present: Bonding and Challenges, jointly organised by the Indian Association for Asian and Pacific Studies and ASEAN Studies Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. The essays in this volume are incorporated in three broad areas: Emergence of the Indo-Pacific: Strategic and Economic Realignment, ASEAN Centrality, and Transition from Asia Pacific to Indo-Pacific.

While conceptualising this book, we felt it necessary to include only those essays that are being peer reviewed with satisfactory comments. We are indeed thankful to all these contributors, who were in the multiple panel discussion during the conference. We are very happy to have them on board. We acknowledge our debt to our Executive Committee members for their painstaking effort in editorial assistance.

This volume has been edited singlehandedly by Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, our Honorary Secretary of the Indian Association for Asian & Pacific Studies. She has given the volume an appropriate shape and true academic flavour and flow.

We take this opportunity to appreciate the efficient copyediting provided by Jehanara Wasi and Neena Abhyankar. We are thankful to all the authors who cooperated with us promptly. We express our sincere thanks to Pranav Jain of Motilal Banarsidass Publications, who agreed wholeheartedly to publish the volume.

We hope it will be an important addition in the domain of knowledge in Asian Studies.

Setting the Tone
The term 'Asia Pacific' has been in use since the mid-20th century, reflecting the increasing economic interconnectedness of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. During the post- World War II era, the Asia Pacific region became synonymous with the rapid rise of countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and later China. By the late 20th century, the Asia Pacific was widely recognised as the engine of global economic growth, driven by the unprecedented economic transformations of these nations, particularly through trade and integration into global markets.

The Asia Pacific framework emphasised the role of the Pacific Ocean as a conduit for trade and economic exchange, primarily between the United States (US), Japan, China and other East Asian nations. The region was largely defined by economic cooperation, with organisations such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum serving as platforms for multilateral discussions and trade agreements. However, it has been argued in due course of time that the Asia Pacific concept overlooked the growing strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and the emerging role of India in regional and global affairs.

The shift in terminology from 'Asia Pacific' to 'Indo- Pacific' reflects a significant change in global geopolitical and strategic thinking over the past decade. This transition represents more than just a rebranding of regional geography; it symbolises a transformation in the power dynamics, security concerns and economic engagements that define the contemporary world order. Understanding the reasons for this transition, its implications and the responses it has triggered provides valuable insight into the changing nature of international relations.