[rajkrish]

Kerala to have IIC-like forum for international studies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seeking to promote studies and debates on international affairs, a forum on the lines of the India International Centre in New Delhi will soon be set up here.

The Board of Trustees of Kerala International Centre (KIC) includes former diplomats of Indian Foreign Service like K P S Menon, T P Sreenivasan and Thomas Abraham.

It would aim at creating a forum to bring together those interested in foreign affairs and share their interests and insights, Sreenivasan told a press meet here.

The focus of its activities would be international relations as they impact India and would seek to provide a perspective on the regions and issues in which Kerala had a special interest like the Gulf and Sri Lanka.

He said Kerala had been a window to the world since ancient days.By virtue of the presence of Keralites in different parts of the world and Kerala's natural and intellectual resources,the state had much to contribute to making and promoting India's foreign policy, he said.

Besides holding seminars and conferences, the forum would offer guidance for competitive examinations, consultancy services and a modern library service.

Governor R L Bhatia will inaugurate KIC on May 19 here.