The importance of federalism in India

During the second edition of our flagship Ideas for India conference, we hosted a wide-ranging panel on federalism in India.

Foreign investors and commentators often regard India and as a monolith, with a focus on a burgeoning middle class. More than 90% of British investment into India in the last 20 years has been in six states only. But to understand India more fully, it is importance to understand the unique place in federalism in India. After a phase of political regionalisation between 1989-2014, in which India seemed to be on an inexorable trajectory of deepening federalism, the election of PM Narendra Modi has returned the centralising potential of India’s Constitution into full view.

In some ways, he has used centralism as an enabling force for coordination of policy at the all-India level. At the same time, delays in disbursing GST refunds to states, and centralising design and credit for direct benefit transfer schemes, have caused tensions with state governments.

This session focuses on the interaction between State and Centre, and why it matters for a global India.

Speakers:
Dr Mohammad Amin, Former Joint Director/Chief of Protocol, Election Commission of India
Pradyot Manikya Deb Barman, Chair, Tipra Motha
Supriya Shrinate, Chairperson, Social Media and Digital Platforms, INC
Br. Umar Kamaal Farooqui, Regional Spokesperson, NCP
Moderator: Sanjay Suri, CNN News18

About the event: https://www.bridgeindia.org.uk/ideas-...
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