In the wake of Second World War, the eradication of long-standing colonialism also ushered in an era of renascent nationalism in a large number of Asian countries. It is in this context the need for study and research on Asian countries, concerning their growing interaction in the fields of politics economic development and cultural and social history has been keenly felt. It is, therefore, appropriate to set up a research institute to fulfill the above objectives and to explore new areas of inter-disciplinary studies and research concerning the Asiatic countries, with special reference to South and South-East Asia, which have diverse ethnic, cultural and historical background, but are bound by a common cultural heritage, social aspiration and striving for economic betterment.

Netaji Institute For Asian Studies was established in 1981 as a social science research institute, sponsored in the Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal. A regular maintenance grant from the state government and mobilization of additional resources has enabled NIAS to pursue its mandated research agenda on
(a) Indian National Movement, especially the role of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army;
(b) trends in the nation-building processes in South and South-East Asia and
(c) Asian relations.