Synopsis Ethnic Politics in Southeast Asia and Quest for Identity, is a case study of five important minority ethnic groups in the region, i.e. Timorese, Patani, Rohingyas, Moro and Hoas and it is an attempt towards objective understanding of ethnic disputes. Thus this study has analysed ethnic policies of Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines and their interaction with minority communities. Most of the publications on this issue have been written by the western authors and they are often biased in favour of one group or another. Their perusal tempts us to put forward regional perspective and this study has tried to do so by analyzing the genesis of ethnic disputes and highlighting the importance of peace and conflict resolution for greater good of the humanity.