Introduction

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), through its International Collaboration Programme, invests significant time and energy in developing collaborative links with social scientists, social science organizations and academic institutions in India and overseas. Over the years, the Council has built strong international links established through research collaborations and professional leadership with scholars working in other countries. The focus has been on developing close and continuing relationships with social scientists and social science organizations, and other professional communities across the globe. These valued relationships greatly enhance the relevance and performance of teaching and research. The Council maintains an international focus and global presence that broadens the international opportunities available to social scientists in India.

Renewal, strengthening and expansion of the frontiers of academic collaboration with an international focus and linkage have become buzzwords at the ICSSR. Developing and focusing on regional and international links has been on its agenda for quite some time now.

Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEPs)

The Council is one of the implementing agencies for the social sciences component of the 'Cultural Exchange Agreements' signed by the Government of India with other countries. Presently, it has major Cultural Exchange Programmes with the following countries:

	Russia
	France
	China

The Council not only sponsors Indian social scientists to visit these countries, but also invites foreign scholars to visit our country under this programme. Activities include:

	Visit of Scholars
	Joint Seminars
	Joint Publications
	Joint Research Projects

Academic Contacts with organizations/Countries not Covered under CEPs

	Australia
	Japan
	Republic of Korea
	Mexico
	South Africa
	Sri Lanka
	Vietnam

Professional contacts and long-term collaborative programmes with Academy of Social Science in Australia, Canberra, Human Science Research Council (HSRC), now called, National Research Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa and the Japan Society for Promotion of Sciences (JSPS), Tokyo, El Collegio de Mexico, Mexico City, Korean Research Foundation, Seoul, Vietnam Academy of Social Science, Hanoi, for organizing joint seminars, projects, exchange of scholars and joint publications, etc. Social science contacts with Israel, Taiwan and Sri Lanka have also been initiated.

Collaboration with Multilateral Organisations

The ICSSR is also a member of the International Social Science Council (ISSC), Paris, Association of Asian Social Science Research Council (AASSREC), Science Council of Asia, Japan and International Federation of Social Sciences Organisation (IFSSO). The Council participates in the activities of UNESCO's programme called Management of Social Transformation (MOST).