A statement issued by a Group of Eight (G8) summit in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm said industrialized nations and the world's rapidly growing developing economies must work together to tackle major global challenges.

In addition to China and India, the G8 said it would also cooperate with Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.

"Topic-driven dialogue"

"We will initiate a new form of a topic-driven dialogue in a structured manner based on this new partnership," said the G8 statement.

Issues to be discussed will include investment protection and promotion, enhancing freedom of investment, common responsibilities to develop Africa and sharing knowledge on fighting climate change.

The regular dialogue will be in addition to a recent G8 tradition of inviting the leaders of China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa to attend part of their annual gathering.

No new members

While agreeing to step up relations with the five leading economic powerhouses, G8 leaders remain opposed to formally extending their elite rich-nation club to developing nations.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is hosting the G8 meeting in Heiligendamm, told the German parliament recently that she did not want to create a G13.

"But we know that without the emerging economies, progress on issues such as climate change, the Doha world trade round and intellectual property rights is unimaginable," she said.