On the morning of March 3, 2023, a delegation of six young people from the Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University, a key research base for humanities and social sciences of the Ministry of Education, visited the Middle East Studies Institute (MESI) of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)  to have an exchange and discussion with our researchers. The delegation included Zeng Xiangyu, Associate Professor of the Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University, and researchers Gao Liang, Gao Gang, Chen Xixi, Zhu Yuanshuai and Zou Zhengxin. Professor Ding Jun, Director of the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, Associate Researcher Yu Yong, Associate Researcher Niu Song, Associate Researcher Li Yi, Associate Professor Zhao Jun, Associate Researcher Bao Chengzhang and Zhang Hanwen, Deputy Director of the Institute's Office attended the exchange seminar.

Director Ding Jun welcomed the delegation from the Institute of South Asian Studies and briefly introduced the history and construction of the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University. He emphasized the importance of strengthening exchanges among key research bases of humanities and social sciences of the Ministry of Education for the future development of the bases and looked forward to further strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Institute of South Asian Studies. Deputy Director Yu Yong introduced the platform construction and research projects of the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University. Associate Editor-in-Chief Niu Song and Associate Editor-in-Chief Li Yi introduced the development history and construction status of Asian Middle East and Islamic Studies and Arab World Studies respectively. Associate Professor Zeng Xiangyu gave a presentation on the development history, team building, academic achievements of the Institute of South Asian Studies at Sichuan University and the construction of South Asian Studies Quarterly, a Chinese journal sponsored by the Institute.

Afterwards, researchers from both sides discussed the theme of ‘South Asia-Middle East Relations: Current Situation and Trends’ and had in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics such as regional country studies, South Asian labor issues in the Middle East, South Asian foreign policies of Middle Eastern countries and Middle Eastern foreign policies of South Asian countries, etc. They also formed a broad consensus on joint expansion of cross-regional research, joint research projects, joint exploration of new academic growth points and strengthening joint journal construction.

Finally, Deputy Director Yu Yong thanked the Institute of South Asian Studies of Sichuan University for its support to the construction and development of the Institute of Middle East Studies of Shanghai International Studies University. He expressed that he would further strengthen the contact and interaction with the Institute of South Asian Studies in the future, deepen the exchange and promote cooperation in related fields.