Lectures on Maritime Studies

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About the Book

The twenty first century is bound to be the Asia-Pacific Century. What is likely to be the strategic scenario in the coming years? How should India respond to the challenges of the new situation? The six contributions, included in the book, written by high ranking naval officers and outstanding academicians, provide valuable insights into maritime history, international relations and strategic thinking.

About the Author

Dr. E.K.G. Nambiar took his Ph.D in History from the prestigious institute of Economics of the World Socialist System, the USSR Academy of Sciences. His area of specialization International Relations. He has worked as a post-doctoral fellow under CSIR and UGC. He has published many articles on both national and international problems. He has widely travelled over Asia and Europe. Dr. Nambiar is currently working as professor and Head of the Kunhali Marakkar Centre for West Asia Studies, University of Calicut.

Dr. V. Suryanarayan is one of India’s leading specialists in South and Southeast Asian Studies. He bring to bear in his teaching and research, keen insights in history, political science and international relations. For more then two decades, he was associated with the centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Madras first as the founding. He is the author of number of book , monographs and articles in leading research journals and popular newspapers.

Foreword

The Chair for Maritime Studies and Research was established in the University of Calicut in September 2004 with the financial assistance of the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy), The Chair has been instituted with the hope that Maritime Studies, a hitherto neglected area in Indian Universities, would receive requisite attention from social scientists. It is a pioneering venture and the choice of the University of Calicut for its institution is recognition of the dynamic role that Kerala and coastal states of India have played in the maritime history of India.

The Chair for Maritime Studies and Research is one of the most active and vibrant components of the University of Calicut. The University Grants Commission, recognizing the academic potential of the Chair, has recently sanctioned the setting up of a Centre for Indian Ocean Studies in the University. The Society for Indian Ocean Studies, the leading non-governmental organization, devoted to the study of the challenges and potentials of the Indian Ocean, has started a Kerala Chapter, with the University of Calicut as its nucleus.

During the past twelve months, the Chair has organized number of seminars and conferences and also lectures by distinguished specialists in Maritime Studies. Lectures on Maritime Studies, incorporating the texts of the lectures delivered by some of the most brilliant minds in Indian Ocean Studies, is the first publication of the Chair. I am sure more publications will follow in the months to come.

Preface

Since its inception on September 10, 2004 the Chair for Maritime Studies and Research is very active arranging lectures by specialists in Maritime Studies and organising seminars and conferences on themes relating to maritime security.

Lectures on Maritime Studies, the first publication of the Chair, is a collection of the texts of six lectures delivered by India's leading specialists on Maritime Studies. The Indian Maritime Doctrine by Admiral Arun Prakash, PVSM, A VSM, VrC VSM, ADC is the text of the inaugural lecture delivered on October 16, 2004; Maritime Traditions of India by Prof. Satish Chandra, Secretary, Society for Indian Ocean Studies, New Delhi is the text of a special lecture delivered on October 18, 2004; Reflections on Indian Communities in the Littoral States of Indian Ocean by Prof. V. Suryanarayan, Professor for Maritime Studies and Research, University of Calicut is the text of a special lecture delivered on November 18, 2004; Security in the Indian Ocean Region - A Naval Perspective by Vice Admiral S.C.S Bangara, PVSM, A VSM, Flag Officer Commanding - in- Chief, Southern Naval Command, Kochi is the text of the inaugural address of the Kerala Chapter of the Society for Indian Ocean Studies, delivered on January 18, 2005; Sea Unites, Land Divides: Prospects of Maritime Co-operation by Prof. V. Suryanarayan, Professor for Maritime Studies and Research, Calicut University is the text of a lecture given under auspices of Muslim Service Society in Kozhikode on February 28, 2005 and Great Powers in Indian Ocean - Changing Role by Prof. K.R. Singh, former Professor, Division of West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi is the text of a special lecture delivered on January 18,2005. Given their contemporary relevance the Editors felt that the lectures should be compiled and published a book.

The Editors would like to place on record their deep sense of appreciation to the University authorities for facilitating this publication. Our heartfelt thanks are due to Prof. Syed Iqbal Hasnain, the dynamic Vice-Chancellor, for his consistent encouragement and guidance. He has written the “Foreword” to this book. The publication section of the University of Calicut deserves our sincere thanks for the timely publication. The office of the Public Relations Officer helped us in many ways, especially in organizing the seminars and lectures and also in publishing the proceedings. We would also like to thank Shri. A.P. Surendran, Research Assistant and Ms. K.V. Jayasree, Data Entry Operator, for their assistance.

We are sure, this book, the first in the series of publications of the Chair for Maritime Studies and Research, will be received with critical acclaim.

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