The African Union was on Saturday granted Permanent Membership Status in the club of Group of 20 nations.
The AU represents 1.4 billion people across 55 members. It marks the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly pitched for the inclusion of the African Union, in a nod to India’s efforts of bridging the gap between the Global South and the West.
“With everyone’s approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” Modi said, claiming it turned the grouping into a “people’s G20”.
“As a continent, we look forward to further advancing our aspirations on the global stage using the G20 platform,” Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is at the summit, posted on X.
The Group of 20 nations are currently meeting in the capital New Delhi for a two-day summit. The G20 leading economies account for 85 percent of global GDP.
Adoption of New Delhi leaders’ declaration
In a big win for India’s presidency, the G20 nations reached a consensus on the Ukraine conflict, paving way for the adoption of the New Delhi leaders’ declaration.
“Friends, I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration,” PM Modi said at the session.
The consensus was reached after over 150 hours of intense negotiations with the member states, including China and Russia.
“History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation,” PM Modi later said on X.
Mega connectivity corridor
Plans for an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor were also unveiled on Saturday in an effort to rival China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
India, US, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates and others launched the initiative to link railways, ports, electricity and data networks and hydrogen pipelines on the sidelines of summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India does not limit connectivity to regional borders and believes that it can play a key role in strengthening mutual trust.
US President Biden described it as a “very big deal”.
