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Despite a tremulous start, SAARC member countries have plodded ahead tentatively but diligently to overcome differences and achieve meaningful progress towards its objective of creating an environment of cooperation and cordiality among the member nations. With an upsurge in regionalism and with focus of international interest shifting to the Asian region, major world powers are seeking to use the platform of SAARC to enhance their relationship with the countries of the region. Consequently many of them have gained Observers status in SAARC and many others are aspiring to it. Strategically placed between the South East Asia and West Asia, some of the SAARC nations have become critical for energy security as Sea Lines of Communication weave around them. The current changes in the international arena and the progress made by other regional entities has further provided positive impetus to each of the member states of SAARC to appreciate the significance of the organization and to reap benefits from it collectively as well as bilaterally.

This volume, the product of an international conference held on ``Japan-SAARC Partnership: A Way Ahead`` by the Centre for East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Sasakawa Peace Foundation is an attempt to look at Japan`s relation with SAARC nations from various dimensions- regionalism, politics, security, economics and use of soft power. Enriched by contribution from Japanese and Indian scholars along with scholars from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, it brings in multi-dimensional perspectives in form of eighteen chapters, which would appeal to the specialist of international relations.