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27 – 28 April 2009. Call for papers

This conference forms part of a collaborative project between the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) and the British Association of South Asian Studies (BASAS). Compared to the rapidly proliferating work on China in Africa, India, the other great ‘Asian Driver’, has been rather neglected in academic and policy circles. This event will bring together a series of papers on India’s changing relations with one region of sub-Saharan Africa.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Contemporary India-East Africa relations: shifting terrains of engagement

27 – 28 April 2009

The British Institute in Eastern Africa
Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa, Nairobi, Kenya

This conference forms part of a collaborative project between the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) and the British Association of South Asian Studies (BASAS). Compared to the rapidly proliferating work on China in Africa, India, the other great ‘Asian Driver’, has been rather neglected in academic and policy circles. This event will bring together a series of papers on India’s changing relations with one region of sub-Saharan Africa. Many parts of East Africa have a long South Asian diasporic heritage, yet India’s engagement with the region has moved beyond these historic links in recent years. As India increasingly challenges existing architectures of economic and geopolitical power, Africa has become an important and interesting arena for Indian ambitions. The influx of Indian aid, capital and personnel, moreover, has potentially profound developmental consequences for the plethora of East African nations, as well as for their South Asian diasporic communities.

We invite papers on all aspects of contemporary India-East Africa relations. Topics of particular (but not exclusive) interest are:

Geo-political engagements
Development aid
Foreign Direct Investment
Trade
Civil society interactions
‘Good governance’ and human rights discourses
Diasporic issues
Cultural interactions
Peacekeeping and military encounters
Reactions to Indian engagement amongst different African actors

Scholars from African and South Asian nations are particularly encouraged to attend. Funds are available for some travel expenses and accommodation to this end.

Abstracts for papers (approximately 300 words in length) and any enquiries should reach Dr Gerard McCann, Department of Geography, Downing Place, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EN or [email][email protected] by 30 JANUARY 2009. Notification of acceptance of abstracts will be forthcoming by 13 FEBRUARY 2009.

We intend to edit a collection of papers for a special issue of an academic journal [TBC] following the conference. Articles will be subject to independent peer review. Please indicate if you would be interested in submitting your paper for publication.

Emma Mawdsley & Gerard McCann, University of Cambridge