@civicfanatic and
@asianobserve both of you make some really good arguments kudos!
civicfanatic, in regards to Pan Asianism:
I understand the intended purposes. However as I stated earlier the problem is that the paradigm of relationships between countries or regions has changed. Cultural heritage is no longer an applicable currency in forming bonds. Inter regional or inter-national relationship now are almost entirely defined by geopolitics, economics and natural resources. Any sort of a potential fraternal- cooperative connection between China and India will be determined by their economic relationship such as trade balance or mutual beneficence, ease of conducting cross border business and most importantly an equitable standard of living. References to historic cultural bonds will largely serve to enhance superficial displays of friendship (soft power) but not much more. Also China doesn't need any sort of a consolidated movement to dispel the myths about their culture created through Orientalism vis a vis the West. They can well enough do this by themselves through their economic rise. Japan too was once dismissed as backward culture in the West, yet now not only does the West have a greater respect for the Japanese but it has embraced many aspects of Japanese culture.
This is exactly why I do not see any sort of a pan asian collective. China is far ahead of India economically and Iran is still stuck in a vortex. Rest assured China has no interest in genuine relationship of this sort and if they were to agree to something like this it will only be to increase their economic dominance. Also, you mentioned China, India and Iran, but forgot to mention Bangladesh and Pakistan which are critical links in the relationship involving ancient cultural ties. Why?
As things stand there will be no real Pan Asian movement because there is no mutual beneficence in economies and the disparities in the standard of living are increasing at a rapid pace. You also made a very good point about the need to develop a prophylactic measure to avoid a catastrophic conflict as evinced in Europe. Here too intercultural relationships will not really mean much, because as long as the disparities between these countries (especially India and Pakistan) keep rising the potential for conflict will remain high.