Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to G20 counterparts proposing full membership to the African Union at the upcoming Delhi Summit of G20 as requested by them. Currently, only one country from the Union, that is South Africa holds membership in G20.
Other countries like US, France, Japan, China, and Indonesia have also supported full membership of AU in the G20.
The upcoming G20 Summit
India currently holds G20 Presidency and is going to host the upcoming G20 summit in September. As part of India’s G20 presidency, PM Modi has been particularly focusing on incorporating priorities of the African countries in the G20 agenda.
The G20 is an informal group of developed and developing countries. It aims to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries. It was founded in 1999 after the financial crisis of Asia in 1990s.
It comprises 19 countries (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 represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
African Union and Its Take
The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of 55 member states. It is considered the top-most grouping representing the voice of Africa. It has been working towards ensuring the progress and economic growth of the African nations.
Many African leaders have argued that Europe is represented by five countries as well as the European Union (EU), and the African Union merits similar representation as well.
In July 2022, then AU president Macky Sall proposed that the regional group should get a seat, saying that the absence of adequate representation from Africa could be detrimental to the G20. He said “The most pressing issues — climate change, pandemics, security, and debt — are ones that both affect Africa and on which Africa is in a position to contribute to solutions. Such a gap in African representation can weaken the G-20’s credibility, traction, and representativeness”
India’s efforts can be seen in light of its vision as a leader of developing and underdeveloped countries at the global stage. This is also in sync with India’s aspiration to become a permanent member of the UNSC, Where Delhi can look forward to support from Africa.
In January, India also hosted the Voice of The Global South Summit where this issue was under focus. The summit aimed to highlight developing countries’ perspective to the G20.
PM Modi has an upcoming visit to Washington DC this week and the issue is expected to figure in the discussions between Modi and US President Joe Biden during their meeting as well.
There are also talks of the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) being held prior to the G20 summit in Delhi this September.
