CWAS

The Centre for West Asian Studies (CWAS) is one of the first area studies centres in India. The origin of the Centre dates back to 1950s when it was established in the Indian School of International Studies (Sapru House). In 1970, as the Indian School of International Studies merged with Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Centre became part of the newly founded School of International Studies. Until December 2009, the Centre was known as Centre for West Asian and African Studies.

The CWAS is engaged in the study of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, including the Gulf, Levant and Maghreb regions. Among the  thrust areas of research and studies of CWAS are government and politics, foreign policy and international relations, economics and political economy, energy security, geopolitics and security, peace and conflict, society and culture and India’s engagements with the region. The Centre was nurtured by some of the towering personalities in the country including Professors Mohammad Shafi Agwani, A.H.H. Abidi, K. R. Singh, Gulshan Dietl and Girijesh Pant.

Over the decades, the CWAS has nurtured numerous scholars and many of its graduates have flourished in the academia, media, think tanks and government services, both within and outside India. Since its inception, the CWAS has awarded over 500 MPhil and PhD degrees.

Currently, the Centre offers a four-year PhD programme, and is in the process of introducing a two-year Master of Arts in International Relations- West Asia (IRWA). The CWAS faculty also offer courses for various BA and MA programmes in JNU.

Chairperson
Professor Sameena Hameed
SIS I (Old Building)
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi 110067

Centre Office
Room No. 355, SIS I (Old Building)
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi 110067
Phone: +011 2670 4372
Email: jnucwas@gmail.com