Ahead of the much-anticipated G20 Summit in New Delhi, India has hinted that the long demand of including the African Union-- a continental body of 55 member states-- in the bloc could be finalised during the mega event.
While addressing a pre-summit press briefing on Friday, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a "great believer" in Global South had written about the inclusion of the African Union.
Further, he said that he has received a positive response from the other world leaders too. "PM who is a great believer in Global South had written to all the leaders and there has been a very positive response and formal that will come before the Summit," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in June written to the G20 leaders making a pitch for full membership to the African Union at the G20 New Delhi Summit. The proposal was formally included in the draft communique for the summit, weeks later, during the third G20 Sherpas meeting in Karnataka’s Hampi in July.
A final decision on the proposal would be taken at the G20 Summit. The African Union (AU) is an influential organisation comprising 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent.
G20 in India
India will host G20 Summit in its national capital on September 9 and 10 in which top leaders of the world will participate.
Several world leaders will arrive in New Delhi for the occasion which will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. US President Joe Biden will arrive in India today.
The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, US, UK and the European Union.
India has also invited Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE as guest countries for the mega event.
The security has been heightened in the national capital ahead of the Summit.
(With inputs from agency)
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