African Union granted permanent membership in G20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a historic decision in G20 Summit, granting permanent membership to the African Union in the G20. This move makes the African Union the first new member to join the G20 since its establishment in 1999, originally formed in response to a series of financial crises.

Prime Minister Modi, speaking in Hindi during a televised inaugural session, emphasized the importance of unity by stating, "In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal."

The admission of the African Union, comprising 55 member states and established in 2002, has been incorporated into the draft leaders' declaration currently under negotiation by G20 member states. The African Union's status within the G20 is expected to mirror that of the 27-member European Union (EU), which holds full membership in the group as the sole regional bloc.

Diplomats from G20 member states have clarified that this inclusion is unlikely to result in a name change for the G20, which will continue to represent the world's largest economies.