Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to G20 counterparts proposing full membership to the African Union on the upcoming Delhi Summit of G20 as requested by them. At the moment, just one nation from the Union, that’s South Africa holds membership in G20.
Different nations like US, France, Japan, China, and Indonesia have additionally supported full membership of AU within the G20.
The upcoming G20 Summit
India presently holds G20 Presidency and goes to host the upcoming G20 summit in September. As a part of India’s G20 presidency, PM Modi has been notably specializing in incorporating priorities of the African nations within the G20 agenda.
The G20 is a casual group of developed and creating nations. It goals to safe world monetary stability by involving middle-income nations. It was based in 1999 after the monetary disaster of Asia in Nineties.
It includes 19 nations (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK and US) and the European Union. The G20 members characterize round 85% of the worldwide GDP, over 75% of the worldwide commerce, and about two-thirds of the world inhabitants.
African Union and Its Take
The African Union (AU) is a continental physique consisting of 55 member states. It’s thought of the top-most grouping representing the voice of Africa. It has been working in the direction of making certain the progress and financial progress of the African nations.
Many African leaders have argued that Europe is represented by 5 nations in addition to the European Union (EU), and the African Union deserves comparable illustration as properly.
In July 2022, then AU president Macky Sall proposed that the regional group ought to get a seat, saying that the absence of sufficient illustration from Africa might be detrimental to the G20. He stated “Probably the most urgent points — local weather change, pandemics, safety, and debt — are ones that each have an effect on Africa and on which Africa is able to contribute to options. Such a niche in African illustration can weaken the G-20’s credibility, traction, and representativeness”
India’s efforts may be seen in gentle of its imaginative and prescient as a pacesetter of creating and underdeveloped nations on the world stage. That is additionally in sync with India’s aspiration to turn into a everlasting member of the UNSC, The place Delhi can look ahead to help from Africa.
In January, India additionally hosted the Voice of The International South Summit the place this problem was below focus. The summit aimed to spotlight creating nations’ perspective to the G20.
PM Modi has an upcoming go to to Washington DC this week and the problem is anticipated to determine within the discussions between Modi and US President Joe Biden throughout their assembly as properly.
There are additionally talks of the 4th India-Africa Discussion board Summit (IAFS) being held previous to the G20 summit in Delhi this September.