The Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) grew out of the China Study Group, which was an informal forum of scholars working on China at the University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), The Institute of Economic Growth, The Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses and other research institutes of Delhi.
Founded in 1969, the Group conducted fortnightly discussions on contemporary topics as well as research themes relating to China, and helped sustain China Report, the only Indian journal on China and East Asia. After China Report was relocated at the CSDS in 1978, it became the journal of the Group, which also made CSDS the centre of its activities.
Interdisciplinary character :
The scholarly interests of the members of the Group range from Chinese history and culture to society, polity, economy, defence and foreign affairs of contemporary China. They contribute to the growing body of public knowledge on China through research activities and by publishing in scholarly journals, periodicals and newspapers on current developments in China. Diplomats, journalists and scholars from various institutions regularly participate in the programmes of the Group.
The ICS :
In 1990, because of the expansion of its activities and in recognition of the national need to build an institutional structure for mobilising academic resources, as well as for the further development of Chinese Studies, the China Studies Group decided to constitute itself into the Institute of Chinese Studies.
Objectives :
The main objective of the Institute is to promote systematic study of China in India by actively initiating and supporting research projects both within the Institute and outside. It seeks to provide a forum for sustained scholarly exchange and interaction. To support these objectives, it proposes to help disseminate information on China by building up a library of select materials in both English and Chinese and by building data bases on appropriate areas. The ICS also perceives itself as a channel to promote interaction between Indian academics and scholars from China and other parts of the world.
To realise these objectives, the ICS has a programme of activities which includes :
Seminars, publications, research, training and coordination, documentation and international collaboration.
