| Summary/Abstract |
From the dawn of history Asia had dominated the world trade and the global space due to its rich heritage, mature civilizations and its socio-cultural values. However, internal fissures and struggles, lack of strategic vision and a certain level of complacency led to the stagnation of innovation. They were thus left behind in the revolutions in economic and military affairs leading to their colonisation, economic depredation and penury. However, post-independence the robust economic rise of Asian economies since the late 1970s – the opening up of China, under Deng Xiaoping, to US to garner economic support in the late 1970s, the Japanese economic juggernaut, the rise of the Asian Tigers and the opening up of India’s economy in the 1980s and 90s led to the concept of ‘The Asian Century’ in the 21st Century. the gradual shift in the maritime trade centre of gravity to the Indo-Pacific Region symbolises this view despite scepticism in the West.
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