The Doha round of talks and the upcoming summit in Copenhagen on climate change is awaiting some concrete political message from G-8.
But the member-countries are looking increasingly powerless, while the G-5 is gaining weight.
The upcoming two days' debates will culminate into a joint statement from G-8 and G-5. It will be interesting to see how these 13 countries plus Egypt finds a common ground that will set the benchmark for the future debate on global trade, finances and climate change.
That is the only big ticket news from the summit.
Unless and until the G-8 countries limit their carbon-emission, the grim situation of global environment is not going to change much.
But, so far there are no signs of hopes that the ongoing debate on climate change will see any breakthrough in Italy, said an Indian diplomat accompanying Prime Dr Minister Singh.
Indian officers accompanying PM told mediapersons that on the issue of climate change, the stated Indian position is unlikely to change.
India is, on a regular basis, holding talks with China on the subject. Both these important countries with huge populations are on same page on climate change.
Both want to develop faster than the other. They cannot accept any cap on carbon emission forced upon them by Western countries that brought this crisis.
Indian officers insist that India will oppose any move by Western countries to tax the products which results in high carbon emission.
A senior diplomat said, "There is protectionism creeping in the debate about climate change. It is not acceptable."
He was referring to a news where Western countries want to levy charge on goods that pollute environment.
This year, unlike in the G-20 Summit, Prime Minister Singh is not presenting any paper on specific issue.
A senior diplomat said, "What is important is the political message that is sent form here to various other groups on climate change and global trade. India and other countries like China, Mexico and Brazil will wait and see what G-8 has to offer."
Meanwhile, on arrival in Italy, Indian media faced the power breakdown. Italy's politics and economy are in bad shape.
In an interview Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said that, "I will make a great G8, you'll see."
For a PM embroiled in sex scandals, G-8 is the great hope to change his public face; but the reality looks different.
Italy's selection of L'Aquila as the location for the Summit has also attracted bad publicity for G-8, with media terming it "summit in rubble."
Berlusconi wanted to express solidarity with earthquake affected people in and around L'Aquila, but symbolism has turned into quite mismanagement with power shortage and other organisational problems.
Also, earth keeps on shaking in Coppito, where presently the world's most powerful leaders are staying -- including Dr Singh.
The Italian government official has told local a daily that in case of an earthquake of 4 Richter scale they don't have any plan B.
Also, for next 48 hours, the Italian Government is keeping it's fingers crossed because of rumours of an alleged scoop against Berlusconi that could spoil the G8 meeting.
