At the beginning of the second decade of the new millennium, South Asia has emerged as a key regional variable in the contemporary global order. The last decade saw the region experiencing a robust phase of economic growth and development. Over time, South Asia's economic progress is expected to accelerate, given its favourable demography and strategic location. The prospects of faster economic growth and development, however, will materialize depending upon the region's success in handling various challenges including security, climate change, political instability and ethnic strife. It is in this context that the Sixth International Conference on South Asia brought together academics and policy specialists to provide insights and contribute to an understanding of the challenges and prospects facing the region in the new decade. This volume is a collection of the papers presented at the Conference and assembles a large and diverse set of viewpoints and perceptions on the region.
