PM Modi proposes full G20 membership for African Union

In a significant move aimed at empowering Africa and promoting global inclusivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a bold step by proposing full membership for the African Union, a continental group of countries consisting of 55 member states, at the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi.

PM Modi has written to his G20 counterparts, responding to the African Union's request for enhanced representation on the international stage, people in the know of developments said on Sunday. The G20 Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi in September this year.

With his strong advocacy and support for the cause, Prime Minister Modi has led from the front on this matter. Explaining the rationale behind the move, a source said that giving the African Union full membership in the G20 would be a right step towards a just, fair, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance.

The G20 was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis and comprises the 20 largest economies of the world. The grouping’s members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.

It is worth noting that PM Modi has been a strong believer in ensuring a greater voice for the Global South countries, particularly the African nations, on international platforms. As part of India's G20 Presidency, he has prioritized incorporating the concerns and priorities of African nations into the G20 agenda, underscoring his commitment to fostering a more inclusive international platform.

In January this year, India had hosted the Voice of the Global South Summit 2023. Over 120 developing countries, including those from Africa, took part in the virtual gathering. The Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on January 12, 2023 as an important group of nations to collaborate on political, economic, social, environmental, cultural, and technical issues.