The highly anticipated 18th G20 Summit has begun today under the Indian presidency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes top leaders of the worlds leading economies this morning at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition-Convention Centre in Delhis Pragati Maidan. During the Summit, PM Modi announced the African Union to be a permanent member of the Group of 20 countries.African Union is now a permanent part of G20 nations: PM ModiIn his opening remarks, PM Modi invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.“With everyones approval, I request the AU head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” the prime minister said.#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prime Minister Narendra Modi invites the Head of the African Union to take his seat, as a permanent member of the G20 as the first session of the Summit begins. pic.twitter.com/ueCe7pwNLS— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023After PM Modis announcement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accosted the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani as he took his seat among world leaders.#WATCH | G 20 in India | President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani takes his seat as the Union becomes a permanent member of the G20. pic.twitter.com/Sm25SD80n9— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023Notably, this major move of adding the African Union is one of Indias key aims to achieve during the ongoing G20 Summit. PM Modi earlier proposed this move to include the AU as permanent member in June.PM Modi on Morocco earthquakeDuring his address, PM Modi also extended grief and condolences over the tragic demise of hundreds in the Morocco earthquake. He said, “Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.”Recently, in June, the prime minister said that he had written to G20 counterparts to provide the African Union with full membership at this G20 Summit. PM Modi had proposed that the AU, a bloc of 55 countries from the African continent that was launched in 2002, be given full membership at their request.
