OECD may offer its membership to India

NEW DELHI: The exclusive club of organisation for economic cooperation and development (OECD) countries might open its doors to India. The group has offered ‘enhanced engagement’ to five countries — India, Brazil, China, Indonesia and South Africa — with a view to possible membership. The OECD, which includes 30 members mostly from the developed world, has also agreed to invite Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia to open discussions for membership of the organisation.

In the council resolution on enlargement and enhanced engagement adopted by the council at the ministerial level meeting last week, the council invited the secretary general to strengthen OECD co-operation with Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa through enhanced engagement programs with a view to possible membership. The Council will determine whether to open discussions on membership in light of the willingness, preparedness and ability of these countries to adopt OECD practices, policies and standards.

The Council decided to open discussions with Chile, Estonia, Israel, the Russian Federation and Slovenia and invited the Secretary-General to set out the terms, conditions and process for the accession of each of these countries to the OECD for subsequent consideration and adoption by Council. It also invited the secretary-general to inform other countries that have applied for membership that their applications for accession shall be further considered individually by the council as enlargement proceeds, future applications shall be similarly considered.