(a) whether India attended the Round Table of G-7 held recently in London;
(b) if so, the details of deliberations held and the outcome thereof; and
(c) the decision taken in the meeting in regard to inclusion of India as permanent member of G-7 and G-8 countries?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI E AHAMED)
(a) At the invitation of the Chancellor for Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram attended a breakfast meeting with G-7 Finance Ministers on February 5, 2005.
(b) There was no formal agenda. The discussions focused around challenges and opportunities of globalization. Finance Minister briefed others on trends in the Indian economy. The participants expressed views on the rising international oil prices.
(c) The question of inclusion of India as a permanent member of G-7/G-8 has not arisen.