DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on a visit to New Delhi, says India should be consulted more closely within international groupings such as an expanded G8. The inclusion of India at last week's Washington summit on the global financial crisis, he said, was a step forward in acknowledging India as an emerging economic power. Steinmeier is due to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani. Their agenda is due to include the tense situations in neighbouring Pakistan and in Afghanistan plus Iran's controversial nuclear programme. Steinmeier's delegation comprises German business, culture and trade union representatives.