The Center for South Asia Studies (CSAS) was established to drive multilayered, reciprocal interactions and cooperation projects with the countries of South Asia. Its central objective is to lead professional academic research on the histories, economies, politics, languages, and cultures of the eight member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), namely, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Afghanistan, and to build the institutional capacity required for such partnerships systematically.

Geographically surrounded by a series of mountain ranges to the north and by peninsular India, South Asia has maintained its robust regional connectivity through its muti-ethnic, multilingual, and multi-religious character. In recent years, countries in the region have worked more closely together on political and economic issues. India, now the most populous country and a major emerging economy, has played a critical role in this process. As South Asia’s influence grows, it is becoming a key partner for Korea, particularly through the New Southern Policy.

The history of South Asia, which has played a unique role and occupied an essential place in the broader context of Eurasian civilizational interactions, is reflected in the social diversity of South Asian countries. Its culture, societies, and institutions necessitate a holistic and thorough research and analysis because of the complex and intricate social realities that cannot be fully comprehended within the narrow framework of the modern nation-state. The importance of contextual and well-grounded understanding becomes evident in various cases. For instance, the civil laws in South Asian countries often vary depending on the religious identity of the litigants, and administrative boundaries within a country are frequently drawn along linguistic lines to define units of local self-government.

In the 1970s, the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations with South Asian countries and has since been reinforcing multifaceted cooperation, particularly in the context of the New Southern Policy. Remarkably, Korea joined the SAARC as an observer state in 2007. In this context, CSAS has been entrusted with the task of collecting reliable information on South Asian studies as a national asset and cultivating trained regional experts on South Asia. CSAS aims to serve as a foundation for connecting agencies that contribute to the production and accumulation of knowledge on South Asia. For this endeavor, we are promoting beneficial joint research and projects with diverse institutions, researchers, and practitioners across South Asian countries.

The Korea-India Special Strategic Partnership presents a compelling model for mutual success due to the complementary economic structures of the two countries. India’s unique economic infrastructure, which is focused on the primary and tertiary sectors, contrasts with Korea’s manufacturing strength.

CSAS’s efforts are aimed at setting excellent precedents for social contribution of academic research and carrying out its role in advancing social development in South Asia, a region with a population of about 1.9 billion, accounting for 24% of the world’s total.

To understand our vision, which defines South Asia as an independent unit in the context of research and promotes projects, the following points should be taken into consideration.

The Research Area of the Center for South Asian Studies (CSAS)

The research Area of CSAS is not limited to one country. In global usage, the term “South Asia” officially refers to the founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985. Its seven founding members are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan. Afghanistan joined the SAARC in 2007. Currently, there are nine Observers to SAARC, namely, Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mauritius, Myanmar, and the United States of America.  In light of regional economic cooperation under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA, in force since July 2006), CSAS designates the eight SAARC member states as its core research area, while also engaging Iran and Myanmar where historically or thematically appropriate.

Research Focus

South Asia is geographically centered on the Indian subcontinent, bounded by the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush. It is historically and culturally deeply linked to the surrounding regions and countries of the Indian Subcontinent. This region shares not only Hinduism, the long-standing Indo-Aryan religion, but also the cultural traditions, languages, and histories of the Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, and Munda language families. It also shares the cultures of Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam that developed after the medieval age. Most countries in South Asia have a shared colonial experience, and this has led academic research to look beyond national borders or focus on smaller regions to gain a better understanding of the area. For instance, Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan after a lengthy process with the Partition of Bengal, as East Pakistan transformed into independent Bangladesh (meaning the country of Bengal). As a result, Bangladesh’s politics, economy, history, and culture are closely intertwined with those of West Bengal in India. Similarly, understanding the conflict involving Tamil groups in Sri Lanka or the history of the Hindu dynasty in Nepal requires considering their connections to the broader history and culture of India. Afghanistan’s political challenges, though it is close to Central Asia, also need to be viewed in this wider context because they are tied to the India-Pakistan Partition and Pakistan’s internal religious and political dynamics.

The necessity of multifaceted, comprehensive, and holistic research for respective South Asian countries

South Asia comprises countries with complex social and cultural attributes, which complicate their definition and analysis as modern nation-states. Multi-ethnic, multilingual, and multi-religious societies characterize most countries in the region. Because the boundaries of states, such as those in India and Pakistan, were essentially delineated along linguistic lines, South Asian Studies fundamentally requires a clear understanding of the historical, cultural, and political distinctiveness of subnational units. Access to local sources by external researchers is also restricted when each regional distinctiveness is manifested through differences in languages. Therefore, it is necessary to cultivate experts who can conduct thorough research on each South Asian country and develop analyses that extend beyond individual countries. This is where the CSAS plays a vital role.

The Political and Economic Rationale for South Asian Studies

South Asia is home to approximately 1.9 billion people, accounting for 24% of the world’s population. India, the largest country in the region, has maintained an annual economic growth rate of over 6% for the past decade and is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy, after the United States and China. While India often draws attention for its population of 1.36 billion, other countries in the region are also significant: Pakistan has 200 million people, Bangladesh has 160 million, Afghanistan has 30 million, and Sri Lanka and Nepal each have around 20 to 30 million. It is worth noting that fertility rates in South Asian countries have also entered a long-term downward trend, so the region is by no means experiencing a phase of population explosion. The geopolitical importance of South Asian countries is also increasing as China rises, and South Asia’s development is closely tied to Korea’s future, given Korea’s reliance on the world’s two largest economies.

Korea established diplomatic relations with South Asian countries in the 1970s and has strengthened cooperation through the New Southern Policy. Korea also became an observer state in SAARC in 2007. In this setting, CSAS is committed to gathering reliable information about South Asia, supporting national interests, and training experts in the field. CSAS also aims to connect various organizations that collect and share information about South Asia. For this mission, we plan to utilize the Asia Regional Information Center (ARIC) located in the Asia Center.

South Asia’s Industrial Structure and Potential as a Partner for Mutual Prosperity and Reciprocal Development

India stands out in South Asia for its unique industrial structure, where the primary and tertiary sectors are dominant and the secondary sector is comparatively less developed. To address this, the Modi government is working to improve basic industrial infrastructure and support the growth of the secondary sector. The strong performance of India’s tertiary sector, especially in IT, plays a major role in exports and GDP. Korea, renowned for its manufacturing prowess, should prioritize developing high-value-added industries for sustained long-term growth. The industrial strengths of both countries can complement each other. It is important to look beyond simply opening new export markets and aim for shared growth and mutual benefit. Achieving this will require thorough research into South Asian economies and industries. CSAS is committed to conducting long-term, mutually beneficial research and exploring future opportunities that extend beyond short-term profit-seeking.

The goals of research and development

First, CSAS fulfills its role as a South Asia research think tank by producing research achievements encompassing the histories, cultures, politics, and economies of South Asian countries, as well as collecting useful societal information resources.

Second, CSAS aspires to become a focal point for advancing South Asian Studies by fostering future-oriented and sustainable cooperation through the establishment of networks among domestic government institutions, academics, corporations, research institutes, and various other stakeholders.

Third, CSAS aims to provide Korean and South Asian individuals with a range of educational opportunities within the framework of lifelong learning, thereby cultivating expert groups essential for cooperation with South Asian countries in various areas.

Fourth, CSAS will expand public outreach activities that enable social support for South Asia–related research and network building, thereby securing a long-term support base encompassing the business sector, civil society, and religious communities. On this basis, it will open the potential for sustainable and progressive activities.

Fifth, with a stable financial foundation, CSAS will develop strategies to engage international talent beyond Korea, addressing current limitations in human resources. Building on this, we aim to establish ourselves as a leading hub for world-class research activities.

1. South Asia Research

• Research on current South Asia politics and economics: Inspecting Hindutva and secularism in modern India and socio-economic problems related to the Indian smart city.
• STEM-Based Interdisciplinary Research on South Asia: Performing joint research on “Sustainable Community Models for Digital Fabrication: A Study of Fab Labs in New Southern Policy Countries,” funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and academic presentation with the Academic Society for Appropriate Technology.
• Research on cultural interaction between South Asia and Korea: Research on the spread of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) in India and organizing a related colloquium. And research on the modernization and localization of India’s yoga and meditation culture, and held the academic conference “Modern Yoga and Meditation” (May 11, 2024).
• Research on Supporting Korean Enterprises’ Entry into South Asia:  Conducting research on Indian E-sports with support from Krafton and exploring additional research activities utilizing data from Krafton India.

2. South Asia regional information sharing and public awareness activities

• Colloquium Series: Hosting at least one colloquium per month, inviting domestic and international experts to discuss diverse aspects of South Asia.
• Workshops: Organized monthly on two main themes—classical text studies and current economic and social issues.
• Open Class in South Asia Culture: Held once or twice annually since 2020, offering the general public opportunities to learn about South Asian culture, history, and languages.

3. Public Engagement Activities

• Support for government on South Asia Issues: Organized and operated the Korea-SAARC Seminar hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROK, and the Kor-Indo Industrial Forum hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, ROK
• Research on National Strategies for South Asia: Joint research project conducted by the SNU Center for Central Asian Studies and the Center for South Asian Studies, focusing on policy directions for development cooperation under the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Professor Kang Sung-Yong leads the project with the participation of ten other researchers.
• Information Services for Public Institutions on South Asia:Research on Human Resource Management Guidelines for Korean Enterprises Entering South Asia (for the Korea Labor and Employment Service) and research on Content Industry Trends and Exchange Strategies (for the Korea Creative Content Agency).

4. Building cooperation network with domestic and international South Asia–related institutions

• Kor-Indo Industrial Forum Management or Korea-India Industry Forum:  The Korea-India Industry Forum, organized with the support of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, ROK, has established itself as a platform for generating and sharing all-embracing information about the specific interests of Korean corporations. In 2023, the program was operated with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. Since 2024, it has functioned with the institute’s own resources.
• Executive Training Program for Indian Mid-Sized (Family-Owned) Business Leaders: Korea Immersion Programme (KIP), jointly organized with the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), has been held annually since 2022 (1st) and successfully concluded its 3rd session in 2024.
• Exchange Programs and Advisory Services for Korean Small and Mid-Sized Enterprises Entering India: Serving as an advisory platform for domestic enterprises seeking to expand into the Indian market.
• Building Research Networks across South Asia: Conducting joint research and academic exchanges with local institutions and scholars in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.