Should G8 be extended?

G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany(June 6 – 8) is concluded with some positive notes and Germany chancelor hailed it as a success ( Its matter of debate that what success she is pointing to). The group comprises the most powerful and developed nations of the world and the newest entrant of the group is Russia ( still trying to cope up with step behavior of the rest ). In the summit, growing economies China, India, Brazil , SA and Mexico were also invited to discuss the various issues faced by world political economy. The outcome was...

• G8 and O5: Permanent co-operation



• A good climate for the climate



• Africa - a continent of the future



• Global trade: Creating opportunities for all



• Working on things together: The spirit of Heiligendam
  

Now the as one of the outcome of the summit is the realisation of the need of the permanent cooperation between G8 and O5 (Heiligendamm process), The question arises, why this Group cannot be extended? Why the Other most developing countries cannot be added into the elite club. Its now evident that these growing nations has enough impact over the world and no decision global influence can be made without taking these into confidence .
It’s the high time that the G8 member extend their hands to befriend the growing nations like India China and invite them to actively participate in G8 activities as these countries has the one third population of the world and are market driven economy. Without the inclusive participation of these, the G8 can not come up with any solution of the global problems. Consent of these is equally if not more important on any policy change and decision which may influence the world.
On the other hand one may argue whats the need of joining the G8 , if at all the group itself didn’t achieve its goal and objective. The world is not just about these developed nations. The other developing countries can form their own group, as opined by the president of the one of the groing nation, Brazil. Delhi quickly discarded this opinion of new G5 citing a new group cannot be a solution to the restricted G8, rather developing nations have to show their will and integrity on policy and decisions so that the elite group may bound to include them. And the recent invitation is the fruition of this belief. It may be a matter of few years when the G8 will be no longer G8 and will extend their hands to include the nations who deserve to be one of them. India and China are the firsts in the queue
If the terrorism was not enough, world is facing a new threat in the name of Global warming and Environment degradation. (Although its not new but the danger is of the mark and it require imminent and immediate action). Today the leading industrialised nations can no longer meet many of the challenges they face on their own. The big emerging economies - China, India, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa (the so-called O5) - have an increasingly important role to play. Merkel hit the nail on the head: "We can't get along without each other."

Amit