In a significant diplomatic achievement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to former African Union (AU) president Macky Sall has resulted in the African Union’s official and permanent membership in the Group of Twenty (G20). Union Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shared this remarkable development during a press conference, highlighting the Indian Prime Minister’s unwavering assurance to expand the G20 to include the African bloc.
The groundwork for this historic moment was laid during the 2022 G20 Summit held in Bali, Indonesia. At that time, the then AU chief, who also serves as the President of Senegal, expressed concerns regarding the G20 membership. In response, Prime Minister Modi assured him that under India’s G20 presidency, this crucial expansion would be achieved. True to his word, PM Modi has delivered on this commitment.
The 55-member African Union officially joined the G20 as a permanent member, marking the first new addition to the G20 since its establishment in 1999 in response to a series of financial crises. Prime Minister Modi made the announcement during a brief televised inaugural session, emphasizing India’s commitment to the principle of “sabka saath” (with everyone).
“In keeping with the sentiment of ‘sabka saath,’ India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal,” remarked PM Modi.
The move to include the African Union as a full member of the G20 has received widespread acclaim. Current AU chief Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed his appreciation for this historic step, recognizing that it will enable Africa to make an “effective contribution” to addressing global challenges.
“I welcome the African Union’s entry into the G20 as a full member. This membership, for which we have long been advocating, will provide a propitious framework for amplifying advocacy in favor of the Continent and its effective contribution to meeting global challenges,” he conveyed on X (formerly Twitter).
This significant expansion of the G20 underscores India’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and collaboration on the global stage, facilitating the engagement of diverse nations in addressing pressing global issues.
Sources By Agencies
