The Asia Foundation

Providing Afghan university English majors and recent graduates with the opportunity to gain intensive professional English-language teaching training in India, and prepare them for future careers as university English instructors in Afghanistan.

Local Partners:

English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, India; Regional Institute of English, Chandigarh, India

Supporting an assessment of the effectiveness of formal and informal alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in India.

Local Partner:

Asian Centre for Human Rights

Acquisition and distribution of 25,271 books to schools and institutions of higher education in India's Southern States: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu.

Local Partner:

Confederation of Indian Industry

Support for two directors from museums in Thailand and India to participate in the forum for Museum Directors of Asian Art from Asia and the U.S. hosted by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco to foster greater global awareness of Asian art and cultures while exploring models for collaboration and partnerships among the institutions.

Building the capacities of government protection officers, police, service providers, civil society representatives, family welfare workers, and self-help group members to counter violence against women in the states of Haryana, Meghalaya, and Uttar Pradesh. Ensuring effective implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005. Assessing government and civil society initiatives to address violence against women to identify and recommend policy approaches to help bridge the gaps between ongoing initiatives and realities on the ground.

Local Partners:

Breakthrough Trust; Institute of Social Studies Trust; North East Network; Society for Participatory Research in Asia

Facilitating the participation of five Indians in an observation program to examine the processes and approaches to local governance in the United States, especially the role of planning and mechanisms for public participation.

Local Partners:

Department of Planning and Development, Government of Bihar; Development Alternatives; District Planning Committee, Madhubani, Bihar; Hardnews; Society for Participatory Research in Asia

Promoting evidence-based advocacy and communication tools for the design and implementation of water policies in the state of Rajasthan, and for presentation in national and international forums.

Local Partner:

Jal Bhagirathi Foundation

Facilitating training and exchange programs for other Asia Foundation offices, including: participation by three Indian experts in the Asian Approaches to Development Cooperation Dialogue; visits to New Delhi by four senior facilitators of the Nepal Transition to Peace project; participation by two Indians in a Leaders of Influence study program in Bangladesh; participation of 50 Afghan students in English-language training programs in Chandigarh and Hyderabad; and placement and monitoring of two Luce Scholars in India.

Engaging prominent intellectuals and retired diplomats/ambassadors from India and Bangladesh to explore priority areas for mutual collaboration between the two countries, including economic development and trade, transport and connectivity, water sharing, migration, climate change, education, culture, and people to people contact.

Local Partner:

Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies

Supporting an international media training workshop on water and climate change in the Brahmaputra Basin to form a core group of journalists in the Himalayan region deeply familiar with climate change and other ecological issues.

Local Partner:

Environics Trust

Funding for three Indian young diplomats to attend the U.S. Foreign Policy Institute Summer Course at The Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, followed by a Foundation-organized observation program on U.S. domestic concerns and their influence on U.S. foreign policy and implications for U.S.-India relations

Strengthening governance and transparency in the state of Bihar through the use of accountability tools such as social audits and "integrity pacts" between communities and government officials, and establishing advocacy and legal advice centers to facilitate the efficient delivery of services and assist citizens in redressing grievances.

Local Partner:

Transparency International, India

Facilitating the participation of six Indian experts in a dialogue on "Bangladesh-India Relations: The Way Forward" organized in collaboration with the Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Local Partner:

Kunzru Centre for Defence Studies

Supporting the participation of three foreign service officers in a two-week seminar on U.S. Foreign Policy at George Washington University, followed by a two-week observation program to different parts of the United States to enhance their understanding of U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues that influence India-U.S. relations, and participation in the Aspen Institute's U.S.-India Dialogue.

Local Partners:

Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; Kunzru Centre for Defence Studies

Facilitating public-private dialogues to improve citizen participation in economic decision-making in four districts in the state of Tamil Nadu, and developing action plans for the improvement of service delivery and infrastructure.

Local Partner:

Centre for Development Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research

Enhancing access to information on water sharing agreements between Bangladesh, India, and Nepal through analysis of water agreements and the design and management of a website.

Local Partner:

Environics Trust

A two-week summer course focused on U.S. foreign policy for three mid-career diplomats from India's Ministry of External Affairs to visit the U.S. and complete their course work with meetings in Washington, DC with policy experts and a two-week study tour built around national security, the economy, and immigration.

Roundtable discussion featuring Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhaya, a senior diplomat in India's Ministry of External Affairs, and an Asia Foundation regional security studies fellow. The ambassador conducted research at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace focusing on U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan and its implications for India and the region.

Visit by the Director, Chief Curator, and Wattis Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art, and Assistant Curator of South Asian Art to India to meet with colleagues and counterparts and explore the possibilities of collaboration on an exhibition of Indian art.

Desk review on alternative dispute resolution and access to justice.

Participation by the former Chief Justice of Delhi and Madras High Court to speak at the 2010 convocation of the Bar Association president.

Participation in a monitoring and evaluation workshop hosted by The Asia Foundation’s Women’s Empowerment Program in Jakarta.

Acquisition of 4,615 primary and secondary level text books donated by Pearson Education for distribution by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in West Bengal; Acquisition and distribution of 51 books for CII's Centre for Excellence in Leadership in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Education and training to counter violence against women in Uttar Pradesh.

An India Local Economic Environment (I-LEE) pilot project focused on driving improvements in district-level resource allocation in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Convening former Indian and Bangladeshi diplomats and experts in dialogue to develop a set of recommendations on practical opportunities to advance Bangladesh-India relations.

Participation in the inaugural training workshop on climate change conducted by the Alliance for Climate Protection under The Climate Project in Nashville, Tennessee.

Funding for recipients of the award created to honor the late Chair of the Foundation's Board, in four separate programs: China (clean energy); India (US-China relations vis a vis India); Pakistan (women's issues); and Malaysia (online independent media).

Discussion co-sponsored by The Asia Foundation and the South Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies featuring remarks by Ms. Indrani Bagchi, a prominent Indian journalist and The Asia Foundation's Chang-Lin Visiting Fellow. Ms. Bagchi also spoke at a discussion, co-sponsored by the Foundation and the John L. Thornton China Center at The Brookings Institution, entitled "China's Place in Indian Foreign Policy", where her remarks addressed current themes and drivers of Indian foreign policy, focusing on India's relations with China, Pakistan, and the United States.

Pilot project on strengthening district planning in Tikamgarh District, Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on rural-urban cooperation in environmental and resource management. 

Program for five participants to observe participatory approaches to local government in the United States.

Establishment and operation of a Communication and Advocacy Unit focused on water policy in Rajasthan.

Dialogue on “Bangladesh-India Relations: The Way Forward” in collaboration with the Centre for Foreign Affairs Studies in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Participation of two Indians in an observation program organized by The Asia Foundation’s Leaders of Influence Program in Bangladesh; Visit of five Bangladeshi Leaders of Influence to Delhi to observe programs related to governance, transparency, and women's empowerment.

Fellowship for a foreign service officer at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to conduct research and engage in discussions with policy specialists on challenges on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border and the implications for U.S.-India relations; Participation of four foreign service officers in a two-week course on U.S. Foreign Policy at George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs, followed by a study tour to promote greater understanding of U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues that may influence U.S.-India relations.

Participation of 20 officials in a program on regional cooperation.

Participation of 12 officials in an exposure visit to India.

Observation tour to India of Constituent Assembly members on Indian models of federalism.

Participation of two Indians in the Leaders of Influence regional conference in Dhaka.

Participation by The Asia Foundation’s advisor in the Aspen Strategy Group-Confederation of Indian Industries India-U.S. Track II Strategic Dialogue.

Participation by the diplomatic editor in The Asia Foundation’s Chang-Lin Tien Visiting Fellowship for conducting research on U.S.- China relations and their impact on bilateral relations with other countries, including India.

Pilot project on strengthening district planning in Madhubani District, Bihar, with a focus on data resources for district planning.

Pilot project to promote good governance in Madhubani District, Bihar.

Four-member delegation from India's Ministry of External Affairs to visit Washington, DC and participate in a study tour focused on U.S. foreign policy and its implications for the bilateral relationship with India. After a two-week course at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, the delegation undertook an observation program through New York City, New Orleans, Denver, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Release of findings and recommendations of companion reports compiled in "America's Role in Asia: Asian and American Views," with public events in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Acquisition and distribution of 11,619 books to universities and other institutions in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkand, Orissa, and New Delhi in partnership with Universities in Eastern India, Confederation of Indian Industries.

Convening a dialogue and developing a set of recommendations on priority issues and practical opportunities in advancing Bangladesh-India relations.

Study tour to "Center for Study of Developing Societies," Delhi, to share lessons on electoral surveys and voter education and election observation programs; Workshops on roles and responsibilities of local government authorities for provincial journalists and editors.

Seminar in New Delhi to launch the "America's Role in Asia" report in India.

Pilot project on strengthening district planning in Tikamgarh District, Madhya Pradesh, with a focus on rural-urban cooperation in environmental and resource management.

Facilitation for the participation of three Indian Election Commissioners to observe Bangladesh's general elections.

Support for election commission representatives from Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka to observe India's general elections.

A one-year India Local Economic Environment (I-LEE) pilot project focusing on driving improvements in the district-level economic environment in the state of Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with The Centre for Development Finance at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (CDF-IFMR). The primary purposes of I-LEE are to: 1) Better understand the gap in district-level diagnostics for local, state, and national planning and investment; 2) Build the capacity of local governments to understand private sector needs—particularly of small and medium sized enterprises—and respond more effectively to these through their own actions as well as through their interactions with higher and lower levels of government; 3) Support dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders on planning and investment to support better socio-economic outcomes.

Conference and publication examining the "The Future of India's Foreign Policy."

Facilitation for the participation of Indian delegates in a dialogue on India-Bangladesh relations in Dhaka.

Fellowship at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation for a Foreign Service officer to conduct research and engage in discussions with policy specialists on the U.S.-India nuclear agreement and related regional and international security issues; Participation of two Foreign Service officers in a two-week course on U.S. Foreign Policy at George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs, followed by a study tour to promote greater understanding of U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues that may influence U.S.-India relations.

Facilitation for the Government of India's participation in a study program on "Good Governance and the Role of Civil Society" held in South Korea.

Facilitation for 26 officials of the Afghanistan Labor Ministry to participate in a training program on "International Labor Law: Code and Conduct" held in New Delhi.

Facilitation for the former Minister of Panchayati Raj to attend a national seminar on best practices in local governance held in Sri Lanka.

Pilot project on strengthening district planning in Madhubani District, Bihar, with a focus on data resources for district planning.

Road tour to promote public awareness on climate solutions.

Facilitation for the participation of the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University in the World Regional Forum in the United States.

Nine-member delegation from Afghanistan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development to meet with counterparts at the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in India for their First Meeting of the India-Afghanistan Joint Working Group on Local Governance.

Eight-member delegation of government officials from the Afghanistan Office of Administrative Affairs to attend a Rai Foundation-sponsored South Asia Regional Forum, “Global Network of Government Innovators,” at the Ash Institute in New Delhi.

Training for Afghan ministry officials and members of the president’s staff with government institutions in India; Support to attend regional conferences in India on government innovations, and learning exchanges on administrative reforms.

Support for foreign policy experts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka to attend a regional conference in New Delhi to discuss America’s Role in Asia.

Publication of India Arriving: How this Economic Powerhouse is Redefining Global Business, by Rafiq Dossani, and accompanying event in Mumbai, India.

State of the Environment Report and approaches for rural-urban cooperation on environment and resource management in Madhya Pradesh.

The regional ECO-Asia program in Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam aims to increase access to clean water and sanitation for Asia's urban poor; to strengthen national- and local-level environmental governance capacity; and improve transboundary conflict in the lower watersheds of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Strengthening the network of women’s organizations and women’s study centers in Indonesia through the support for the 2nd Conference of Kartini Network for more than 100 institutions across Indonesia and Asia, including Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India.

Participation of two officers from India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a summer course on U.S. foreign policy at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, followed by a study tour to promote greater understanding of U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues that may influence U.S.-India relations.

Development and publication of a handbook to facilitate implementation of the South Asia Regional Victim Witness Protection Protocol in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.

Water service delivery to approximately 10,000 inhabitants in slum areas; Broad efforts to expand access to clean drinking water in poor, urban areas; Sharing of best practices in the region.

Fellowship at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation for a Foreign Service officer from the Ministry of External Affairs, to conduct research and engage in discussions with policy specialists on the U.S.–India nuclear agreement and related regional and international security issues; Continuation of a regional security studies fellowship at the Center for International and Strategic Studies for a Foreign Service officer from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Support the district planning process in Madhubani, Bihar and develop methodologies that can be used in national District Planning Guidelines. Activities included working with a consultant to develop a data resource system for district planning.

Kandy Municipal Council; Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kattankudy Traders Association; Kattankudy Urban Council; Hikkaduwa Urban Council; Hikkaduwa Traders Association; Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council; Nuwara Eliya District Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Wayamba Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Kurunegala Municipal Council; Trincomalee District Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Trincomalee Urban Council.

Study tour for representatives from local government and business associations in four provinces on private-public partnerships in India.

Study visit for five high-level staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct an assessment of Afghan Embassies in four different countries in the central Asia region: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan; Support to three high-ranking Afghan Government officials to participate in the conference, “Effective Capacity Building for Senior Public Officials,” conducted by the International Institute of Public Policy and Management at the University of Malaya; Facilitation of a study tour for four staff from the Independent Election Commission to exchange with the respective election commission staff in Australia and Nepal; Facilitation of a study visit for 11 officials from counterparts in the Indian Government, the Independent Directorate for Local Governance and Ministry for Rehabilitation and Rural Development; Study tour for 21 Afghan Government officials representing various ministries and departments to visit Malaysia for IMPUMA 2008 training; Study tour to facilitate the Deputy Chief of Staff to participate in “Leaders in Development” conference; Support to Member of Parliament, Ms. Shinkai Zahine Karokhail, to participate in the “International Leaders Forum” in Denver, Colorado; Support to three ranking Afghan Government officials to participate in training on “Senior Management Program” conducted by Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the National University of Singapore.

Support for Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia to participate in the U.S.-Islamic Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, convened by The Asia Foundation.

Acquisition and distribution of 10,000 higher education books to nine universities in India’s Northeastern States of Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam.

Publication of India Foreign Policy Compendium by Sumit Ganguly, and accompanying conference of authors at the University of Indiana.

Study tour to India for a delegation of mayors and business leaders from Sri Lanka working under the local governance programs. The tour included exposure to and discussion on urban management systems in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Study tour to India for a delegation of mayors and business leaders from Sri Lanka working under the local governance programs. The tour included exposure to and discussion on urban management systems in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

A forum for 60 Korean business leaders featuring Mr. Tarun Das, Chief Mentor, Confederation of Indian Industry; and a dinner with CEOs of five of Korea’s leading corporations.

Training for Afghan ministry officials and members of the president’s staff with government
institutions in India; support to attend regional conferences in India on government
innovations, and learning exchanges on administrative reforms.

Universities in Northeast India, Confederation of Indian Industry
Shipment and delivery of 10,000 higher education books to nine universities in India’s
Northeastern States of Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam.

Supported a fellowship at the Center for Strategic International Studies for an Indian Foreign Service officer from the Ministry of External Affairs to conduct a comparative study of Bangladesh and other Asian countries in addressing pressures from radical Islam.

A seven-year ECO-Asia program in Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam that aims to increase access to clean water and sanitation for Asia's urban poor; to strengthen national- and local-level environmental governance capacity; and improve transboundary conflict in the lower watersheds of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Supported a summer course and study tour at the George Washington University’s Elliott
School of International Affairs for four Indian administrative service officers from the
Ministry of External Affairs to promote greater understanding of U.S. foreign policy and
domestic issues that may influence U.S.-India relations.

Development and publication of a handbook to facilitate implementation of the South Asia
Regional Victim Witness Protection Protocol in SAARC countries.

Support for water service delivery to approximately 10,000 inhabitants in slum areas; broad
efforts to expand access to clean drinking water in poor, urban areas; sharing of best
practices in the region.