Pluralism in India and Indonesia: Diversity in the Quest for Unity

By Edited by Shankari Sundararaman and Kapila Vatsyayan

This book explores the trajectory that both India and Indonesia have taken as post-colonial states. Both nations have had a strong plural ethos emerging from their civilizational exchange. Remnants of this exchange are still visible in the region allowing for a vibrancy and plurality, enriching the historical context of interactions.

As these countries evolved, so have the political dimensions, bringing up debates related to identity politics, including the quest for accommodation of various religious and linguistic groups.

This volume is an effort to offer a deeper insight into the political evolution of these countries. A thorough understanding of their domestic politics and differences would help address the perceptual challenges at the bilateral level.

About the Editors KAPILA VATSYAYAN (1928–2020) served for over three decades in the Union Ministries of Education and Culture, and held the position of Secretary of the Department of Arts, HRD Ministry (1982–2000). She was the founding Academic Director of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, a UNESCO Executive Board Member, and a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). Dr Vatsyayan wrote extensively on the arts and was Life Trusteeand President of the India International Centre, and Chairperson of its International Research Division (2003-2020). She was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.

SHANKARI SUNDARARAMAN is a Professor of Southeast Asian Studies and current Chairperson of the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Before this, she was a Research Officer and Research Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (1996–2003). She was also a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University (May–July 2005) and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta (2006–2007). Prof. Sundaraman has several publications to her credit.

You can order the book on Amazon India

Binding: Hardcover

Publication Date: February 2025