AU Becomes Permanent Member of G20

Prime Minister Modi in his opening remarks invited the African Union (AU) to take its place in the G20 as a permanent member.

The inclusion of the AU was widely expected ahead of the summit.

The decision will further bolster Modi’s efforts to make India the voice of the Global South.

Prime Minister Modi invited the African Union to take its place at the G20 table as a permanent member. “I believe that inclusion of African Union will get the support of all,” Modi said as he invited the bloc’s chair Comoros President Azali Assoumani to address the delegates.

The African bloc – made up of 55 member states – is at the summit on India’s invitation. Now, it will have the same status as the European Union.

India has been advocating for the AU’s inclusion for months. Countries like Russia, the US, Australia and Japan also supported the move after Senegalese President Macky Sall proposed it in 2022 during his chairmanship of the AU.

Analysts say the move would strengthen the voice of the Global South – which India seeks to represent – and give African nations a global platform to highlight problems faced by developing nations, as well as a bigger say in decisions concerning them when made by more prosperous nations of the world.