The Monsoon: The Sphere of Cultural and Trade Influence conference, held on 12th–13th February 2025, was organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in collaboration with the Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA) at SGT University. The conference explored India’s deep-rooted cultural and maritime heritage within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), bringing together scholars, researchers, and professionals from diverse disciplines.
Discussions and presentations spanned a wide range of themes, including Indian Influence on Southeast Asian Heritage Sites, Cultural Diplomacy and Historical Connections, The Spread of Indian Religious Traditions, Trade Routes and Cultural Exchange, Trade, Travel and Religious Pilgrimages, and Innovation in Ancient Trade and Commerce. These sessions provided valuable insights into historical and contemporary perspectives on cultural interactions across the IOR.
The event featured an esteemed panel of speakers, including maritime scholars, geopolitical analysts, historians, and representatives from the Indian Navy, each contributing their expertise to the discourse. Paper presenters from across India—including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab—were joined by international scholar from China, fostering a truly global exchange of ideas.
