Nalanda Professorship in India-China Studies

The Nalanda Professorship in India-China Studies represents a unique partnership between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nalanda Library Fund Limited (NLFL), grounded in a shared commitment to research excellence and global cultural exchange. This initiative aims to advance the study of India-China relations, exploring the profound historical, cultural, economic, and intellectual connections between these two great civilizations.

From the spread of Buddhism from India to China, exemplified by the Nalanda Mahavihara and the travels of the monk Xuanzang, to centuries of trade along the Silk Road and Maritime Spice Route, the interactions between India and China have shaped the world in countless ways. This rich history encompasses philosophy, literature, art, religion, commerce, and diplomacy, offering invaluable insights for contemporary cooperation and stability.

The professorship will be held by a leading authority in India-China studies, who will conduct original research and lead a long-term project to compile an encyclopaedia of India-China relations. Supported by a Research Fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the initiative will also include archival projects, graduate training, public lectures, workshops, and an annual conference—establishing India-China Studies as a vibrant and influential field of scholarship.

Aligned with NLFL’s mission to promote academic excellence and cross-cultural understanding, this professorship fosters new synergies among researchers and nurtures the next generation of scholars, advancing knowledge and dialogue between India, China, and the wider world.