International conference on Federalism from Nov 5

The meet will discuss case studies and potential areas of consensus building in the wake of rising terrorist activities.

A global meet on federalism, beginning in New Delhi tomorrow, will discuss case studies and potential areas of consensus building in the wake of rising terrorist activities.

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The three-day meet, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will discuss threadbare issues like fiscal federalism, managing conflict and diversity and dealing with internal conflict and tension.

The conference -- fourth in the series organised by the Canada-based Forum of Federations -- will provide a platform for exchange of ideas that can benefit countries in turmoil.

According to Inter-State Council Secretary Amitabha Pande, a session has been devoted to policing where federal crime will be discussed.

Several heads of states and governments including presidents of Switzerland and Comoros, vice president of Nigeria and prime minister of Ethiopia, besides cabinet ministers, heads of local governments and political leaders would participate in the deliberations.

High level teams from Bosnia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Austria, Pakistan and Nepal will participate in the conference, which has been previously held in Canada in 1999, Switzerland in 2002 and Belgium in 2005.

The issue of federal crimes has come into sharp focus in the backdrop of recommendations of the Madhav Menon Committee and the Veerappa Moily-headed Administrative Reforms Commission set to have a close look into the matter.

Even the prime minister recently referred to federal crimes at a conference of top police brass in New Delhi.