New Delhi (Agency): In a significant development that aims to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed hope for support from the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) nations for India’s proposal to grant permanent membership in the G20 to the African Union (AU).
Speaking at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, PM Modi stated that India is giving the “highest priority” to the issues concerning the countries of the Global South under its presidency of the G20. The G20 summit is scheduled to be hosted by India on September 9 and 10, and all the BRICS nations are permanent members of the G20.
“We have also proposed to give permanent membership of G20 to the African Union. I am sure all the BRICS partners are also together in the G20 and all will support our proposal,” Modi remarked.
The African Union, an influential organization, consists of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent. In June, PM Modi wrote to the leaders of the G20 countries, advocating for granting the African Union full membership of the grouping at its forthcoming summit in New Delhi. The proposal was subsequently included in the draft leaders’ declaration at the third G20 Sherpas’ meeting that took place in Karnataka’s Hampi from July 13 to 16.
India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant revealed that the proposal to make the African Union a permanent member of the G-20 has received an overwhelming response from the grouping.
In his address, Modi also highlighted India’s hosting of the Voice of Global South summit in January, where “125 countries participated, sharing their concerns and priorities.” He commended South Africa for giving special importance to the countries of the Global South under its presidency of BRICS.
“The countries of the Global South under the chairmanship of South Africa have been given special importance in BRICS. We heartily welcome it,” Modi emphasized, adding, “This is not only the expectation of the present time, but also the need. India has given top priority to this subject in its G-20 chairmanship.”
PM Modi arrived in Johannesburg on a three-day visit primarily to attend the BRICS summit. The BRICS group represents five of the largest developing countries in the world, accounting for 41 percent of the global population, 24 percent of the global GDP, and 16 percent of global trade.
