King’s College London, one of the world’s top 30 universities, marked India’s Republic Day yesterday with the formal launch of its prestigious new India Institute. The event was inaugurated by Rt Hon William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, representing the UK Government. Acting Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Rajesh Prasad, was also in attendance, reflecting the growing importance of UK-India bilateral relations.
The King’s India Institute, which opened its doors to students in September 2011, is already rapidly becoming a world-leading institution for global engagement with contemporary India. The Institute – one of a network of Global Institutes at King’s focusing on 21st century world powers – is pioneering a unique interdisciplinary approach to research on contemporary India, with experts from across the fields of social sciences, policy, law, security studies, science and health.
The underlying ethos is rooted in commitment to build India’s capacity to engage with global issues on its own terms, to foster long-range thinking on India’s most essential dilemmas, and to deepen international comprehension of the distinctive character of India’s growth path and challenges.
Rt Hon William Hague MP, who gave the opening speech at the inauguration ceremony said: ‘It is a great pleasure, on India’s Republic Day and the 62nd anniversary of the signifying of its Constitution, to express my sense of optimism and excitement about our relations with India and all that lies ahead for the citizens of both our countries, and our Government’s firm commitment to develop even closer ties in the years to come and indeed we can hope throughout this century, which is very much India’s to shape.
‘This new Institute at King’s could not have come at a better time. Now is the time to study India, to invest in India and to work with India. The rise of India and other nations is good for the people of those countries; it is good for the world; and it brings immense opportunities for a country like Britain that is able to seize them.
‘I wish the King’s India Institute and its students every success in the coming years. It is inspiring to think of all those who will expand our intellectual horizons and cement our ties with India in the years to come by studying here.’
The Institute is led by Director Professor Sunil Khilnani, author of The Idea of India. Professor Khilnani, who has recently returned from the Jaipur Literary Festival, made a speech describing his vision for the Institute: ‘King’s College London is manifestly the right place for our new India Institute. King’s is an invigorated university expanding its global research footprint and its engagement with the world – through its student body, its faculty, and its partnerships. Its spirit today is one of innovation and experimentation – as is ours.
‘The choices and judgements India makes today will orient its future for many years to come, and it is no longer an overstatement to say that those choices will also change the future of the world. The animating spirit of our new India Institute will be to understand India as such: a nation not at the periphery, but at the centre of our most crucial global debates.
‘Our students will develop skills to contribute to contemporary India's human development and international influence, and ultimately to worldwide understanding of India's changing global role. They can also undertake internships and practical experience – since we believe this is a crucial part of learning about India today.
‘With the comparative framework offered by the Brazil, China and the upcoming Russia Institute, the programmes at the India Institute are uniquely designed to equip students with the skills and awareness necessary for a successful future in the global economy.’
The Principal of King’s College London, Professor Sir Rick Trainor, closed the official inauguration ceremony saying: ‘We are excited by the significant milestones already achieved by Professor Khilnani and his team at the King’s India Institute. Although still in its infancy, the India Institute is in an extremely strong position to assist in developing the UK and Europe’s understanding of, and engagement with, contemporary India.’
Ramachandra Guha, who will be conducting a seminar series this term, said: ‘This Institute is a scholarly initiative that is both admirable and exciting – because it focuses on the momentous transitions underway in the world's most interesting country, and because it is led by a highly regarded senior scholar working alongside some very gifted younger colleagues.’
Subhashini Narayanan, who is from Chennai and works as a diplomat for the MEA, is studying on the flagship MA Modern India. At the launch she explained why she had chosen to study at King’s: ‘The main attraction to the MA Modern India programme is its interdisciplinary approach to studying contemporary India – be it India's foreign and security policy, the historical narrative of modern India or India's nuclear policy.
I found the combination of having the opportunity to interact with renowned political scientists and scholars and studying advanced course work ideally suited my career aspirations.