The meeting is to be held from July 6 to 8.

Along with India, China, Brazil and South Africa also have been invited by Britain, which holds the rotating presidency of the group, The Hindu newspaper said.

The British government was keen that a country such as India be associated with the grouping to give it a more representative character, said the report, quoting a senior Indian foreign ministry official.

The report came a day after British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw wound up a two-day visit here to discuss enhancing bilateral trade, among other topics.

The G7's focus on India has been growing because of the country's increasing economic clout.

India's economy has grown an average six percent since it launched its liberalisation drive in 1991 and is forecast to expand by around seven percent in the financial year ending March 31.