Acknowledgements

1This study was originally conceived as the Indian contribution to a larger project on the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) lead and coordinated by Bangkok-based Institut de Recherche sur l’Asie de Sud-Est Contemporaine (IRASEC). I have, accordingly, greatly benefited from my association with several scholars who are part of this endeavor and this has since opened new perspectives in my own understanding about India’s interests in and equations with these countries. Having completed my first paper on the subject, I sincerely wish to acknowledge contributions of several of these friends, colleagues and experts in the field.

2First and foremost, I express my thanks Dr. Guy Faure, Director of IRASEC at Bangkok (Thailand) for grooming my interest in GMS and, despite his hectic life, constantly encouraging my work on this Occasional Paper and making it possible in its current shape and size. I also wish to express my thanks to other friends at IRASEC, in particular, Dr. Arnaud Leveau (Deputy Director) and Lionel Simeon (Researcher), whose support has greatly facilitated my work on GMS.

3In Bangkok, I wish to express my deep appreciation for the contributions made by Dr. Ukrist Pathmanand, Associate Director, Institute of Asian Studies (IAS), Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand) for organizing a half-day conference around my initial presentation on this subject and to Dr. Rosalia Sciortino, Associate Professor, Mahidol University (Bangkok, Thailand) for being my Lead Discussant at that conference and for going through this manuscript later. Thanks also to Kanokphan Usha and Adison Semyaem of IAS and to my dear friend from the family of Asia Fellows, Dr. Thanyathip Siripana, (currently with IAS) for her suggestions, clarifications and for her help in organizing some important meetings.

4In Ha Noi, I thank Dr. Le Bo Linh, Director, and Dr. Tran Cao Thanh, Director of the Mekong Program, at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, and Prof. Mai Ngoc Chu, Dean (Faculty of Oriental Studies), Prof. Dinh Trung Kien, Dean (Faculty of Tourism Studies), Dr. Nguyen Van Chinh, Vice-Director (Center for Asian-Pacific Studies), Ms. Do Thu Ha (College of Social Sciences and Humanities) of the Viet Nam National University, for facilitating my lectures and discussions with their faculty, students, and other outside experts and for keeping academic interest and focus on India alive.

5In Ho Chi Minh City, I thank Mr. Le Thai Thoung Quan, Head of the Office of Cooperation and Research Management, and Ms. Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Vice Dean of Faculty of Southeast Asian Studiesm Ho Chi Minh City Open University, and to Dr. Hoang Van Viet Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Dr. Phan Thu Hien, Vice Dean of the Department of Cultural Studies, and Ms. Le Thi Hang Nga, Faculty of Oriental Studiesm University of Social Sciences and Humanities, for organizing my lectures and interactions with teachers and students of their respective institutions and for exposing me to their teaching and research activities.

6In Phnom Penh (Cambodia) I thank Dr. Ban Thero, Vice Chancellor, Cambodian Mekong University, Dr. Chap Sotharith, Director, and Ms. Neth Chantha, Deputy Director, Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP), for organizing my lectures and discussions with their experts, teachers and students. Thanks also to Mr. Neb Sinthay, Director, Advocacy and Policy Program, PACT Cambodia, Mr. Vichea of the Cambodian Ministry of Education and other experts like Dr. Chamnan Chhoun, Sam Sideth, Suon Bun Rith for their ideas, friendship and hospitality.

7Interacting with these friends has been revealing and lesson in modesty which will go a long way in improving my own approach and understanding on intellectual issues. In the end, I remain responsible for all mistakes and omissions that may still remain in what follows as my first paper on Mekong-Ganga cooperation initiative.

8Bangkok/2nd July 2007