India signs framework agreement with Canada's FoF

The Inter State Council Secretariat (ISCS) under the ministry of home affairs on Tuesday signed an agreement with Canada-based Forum of Federations (FoF) here for the next three years.

"The agreement was signed by ISCS secretary H.K. Dash and forum's president and chief executive officer Rupak Chattopadhyay," an official statement said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present when the agreement was signed, wished great success for ISCS and FoF, and hoped that these organisations would contribute significantly to the promotion of democracy and freedom in the world.

"The agreement provides for creating a mutually supportive international partnership with India for improving governance and enhancing democracy by promoting dialogue on the practices, principles and possibilities of federalism," the statement said.

It said that the FoF has planned some India-specific activities in the next three years and associating Indian experts in its capacity-building programmes in several developing countries, including some in South Asia.

It is proposed to organise an international conference on cooperative federalism in New Delhi later this year with the FoF as a knowledge partner. The proceedings will pave the way for mutually supportive international activities and programmes, the statement said.

The FoF is an international organisation of federal countries. It is based in Canada and brings together government practitioners and academics to improve governance and enhance democracy by promoting dialogue and providing policy research on federalism and the challenges of multi-level governance.

The FoF is funded by its 10 member countries comprising Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan and Switzerland.

It has, in the past, worked closely with India on several important issues pertaining to federal governance, fiscal federalism, public security, environmental governance and local government.

India has been a forum partner country since 2005.