WPF Historic Publication Asia in the Contemporary World Inder Kumar Gujral December 31, 2004 Original copyright © 2004 by World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations Copyright © 2016 by Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute The right of Inder Kumar Gujral to be identified as the author of this publication is hereby asserted. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of the Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute, its co-founders, or its staff members. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please write to the publisher: Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute gGmbH Französische Straße 23 10117 Berlin Germany +49 30 209677900
[email protected] Asia in the Contemporary World Inder Kumar Gujral Former Prime Minister of India Originally published 2004 in World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations Bulletin 1(1), 158–64. 2 Inder Kumar Gujral “Asia in the contemporary world” Surely I am voicing the feelings of my fellow participants when I thank the three zealously committed foundations for hosting this Conference at a time when the world is confronted with massive challenges of instability and a gravely damaged U.N. system. Not long back, on first day of the new millennium, the world leaders had gathered to re-affirm their faith in the “purpose and principles of the charter of the United Nations, which have proved timeless and universal.