Institute of Regional Studies

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For other uses, see IRS.

Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) is a think tank based in Islamabad, Pakistan. IRS is an independent, non-profit research center devoted to the study of the region around Pakistan: South Asia, Southwest Asia (Iran, Afghanistan and the Gulf), China, Central Asia as well as the Indian Ocean region. It also studies and analyzes policies of major power centers towards South Asia. The Institute was set up in March 1982. It is considered one of Pakistan's leading think tanks. The Institute covers a wide spectrum of research in foreign and internal affairs, economy and industry, science and technology, socio-cultural and security related issues and thus provides an in-depth understanding and objective analyzes of regional and global issues.

IRS is in touch with similar research institutes the world over. Publications are exchanged with institutes in the United States, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, West Asian and Southeast Asian countries, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russian Federation, and other major European countries. The Institute has gained international recognition, prestige and credibility in a surprisingly short span of time. Its position papers and studies are in great demand. Research articles written by its scholars have been frequently abstracted in the "Documentation Politique Internationale", Paris. Writers and authors have increasingly cited in their writings the works published at the Institute. The institute is proud to possess valuable archives which are unique in entire South Asia. Its information data is shared by other institutions and outside research scholars working on South Asia.