India’s federal design stands at a critical juncture. For all its constitutional elegance and historical resilience, it now faces a test of practical functionality. A country of continental scale and staggering diversity cannot rely solely on uniformity or hierarchy. Its governance must rest on the principle of respectful collaboration between the Centre and the states — not as a matter of political convenience, but as a structural necessity.The last decade offers several moments of genuine cooperative success, but it also presents equally stark reminders of fragility, delay and distrust. Collaborative federalism is not an ornamental ideal, but the operating logic of a modern republic. It must now be deepened, defended and demonstrably delivered.
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