It is a journey through time and space that South Asia, the slim twice-a-year publication of the Singapore-based Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), covers in this issue of December 2012. We have an article from a Pakistani scholar on the ancient Buddhist iconography that belongs to and is being studied in today’s Islamic Republic of Pakistan. At the other end of the time-spectrum, there is a political piece by one of our senior scholars on the continuing relevance of the message of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace who fashioned India’s struggle for independence in the first half of 20th century. ISAS has explored the niceties of Buddhist iconography and Gandhi’s creed of non-violence in two separate public events.

For us at Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) in Singapore, it has been a happy season of great celebration since the previous issue of Southa Asia was published. This is amply reflected in this issue, with the Cover Story featuring an interview with ISAS Chairman, Ambassador Gopinath Pillai, who was conferred India’s Padma Shri Award on 4 April 2012. We are also happy to record that India has conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award on Singapore’s former President, Mr S R Nathan, who has been a great source of inspiration for ISAS........

‘South Asia’ is back with a refreshed look. In line with our new focus on the South Asian Diaspora, the newsletter brings news, developments and features on the diaspora community. At the same time, it continues to focus on contemporary issues on South Asia.

‘South Asia’ will be published bi-annually with sharper coverage of events, insights and perspectives of developments in the region. We hope that the .......

The last few months have seen mixed developments in South Asia. There has been bad news in the form of unexpected natural disasters of gigantic proportions. On the other hand, there has been good news as well both on the economic and political fronts that have created fresh optimism about the region’s future prospects.......

South Asia enters a new decade amidst several opportunities and challenges. Led by India, the largest economy in the region, economic growth in most of the region has rebounded strongly after a year-long economic downturn. There is growing optimism that India will return to its high growth trajectory in the coming quarters. Bangladesh’s economic performance has continued to remain satisfactory despite the global financial crisis and, projections regarding the economy are distinctly upbeat. Sri Lanka’s near term economic prospects look bright following an end to prolonged ethnic hostilities and reconstruction initiatives......

The global financial crisis resulted in most countries in the South Asian region showing acute signs of vulnerability as they experienced sharp decelerations in their export growth, following declining demands for their products from the West. In this issue, we look at the measures taken by India – its openness to the international economy, efficient banking system and initiatives by the Reserve Bank of India and the government – to cushion the impact of the economic downturn on the country.....

In the past several months, the South Asian region, like the rest of the world, has had to come to terms with the fallout of the global economic crisis. India, for instance, has witnessed a sharp deceleration in its export growth resulting from declining demands for its products, a slowdown in....

This issue highlights a number of critical developments in South Asia in 2008. Pakistan elected a new civilian President in September 2008. However, the transition from former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to elected President Asif Ali Zardari has come amidst severe economic and security challenges in Pakistan. A deteriorating economy and restive border...