Need wider G7-style group with India, China: Russian President Putin

VLADIVOSTOK: President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia was ready to host a meeting of the G7/G8 group of nations, and would welcome a wider format featuring Turkey, India and China.
Putin, who was speaking at an economic forum in Russia's Far East, said he could not imagine an effective international organisation without China or India.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also attended the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), evaded a direct reply when asked whether India would like to join the Group of industrialised nations if it is expanded from G7.

"If such a question had come from the G7, it would have been appropriate ... My saying 'yes' or 'no' to a question coming from you has no value," Modi said.
At the same time, he said India, in principle, is in favour of a multi-polar world with equal powers and responsibilities.
The moderator was wondering whether G7 should be expanded to G10 by including Russia, India and China.

The G7 comprises the US, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
For a certain period, Russia was the member of the group, then known as G8, but the membership ended in 2014.
Interestingly, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was also present when the question was asked.
PM Modi was the chief guest at the event, where he spoke about his vision of making a 'New India' with a target of making the country a $5 trillion economy by 2025.
The Prime Minister also said the friendship between India and Russia was not restricted to governmental interactions in capital cities, but was about people and close business relations.