India backs the inclusion of the African Union as a full member of the G20 largest economies as no plan of the future will be successful unless and until there is an absence of representation and recognition of all voices, PM Narendra Modi said on September 3, 2023 days ahead of the summit of the influential bloc.
In an exclusive interview with the media, PM Modi said that Africa is a top priority for India and that it works for the inclusion of those in global affairs who feel that their voices are not being heard. In the last few years, India has been positioning itself as the leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South or the developing nations, especially the African Continent.
Theme of the G20 Summit
“I would like to draw your attention to our theme of the G20 Presidency- “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-One Earth. One Family, One Future. It is not just a slogan but a comprehensive philosophy that is derived from our cultural ethos, Modi said during the wide-ranging interview at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence. “This guides the outlook within India and towards the world too he said, responding to a question on India’s proposal for the African G20 membership.
PM Modi’s efforts for Global South
The prime minister has been leading from the front on the issue of the full membership of the G20. In June, Modi wrote to the G20 Leaders pitching for, according to the African Union, the full membership of the grouping at its New Delhi Summit.
Weeks later, the proposal was made and formally included in the draft communique for the summit during the G20 Sherpas meeting that took place in Hampi, Karnataka. A final decision on the proposal would be taken at the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi from September 9 to September 10, 2023.
The prime minister also referred to India’s hosting as the voice of the Global South in January 2023, which was aimed at bringing to the international stage the challenges facing developing countries.
Significance of Africa
The African Union is an influential organisation that comprises 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. Africa is a top priority for us, even in the G20. One of the first things that we did was to hold the voice of the Global South Summit, which had enthusiastic participation from Africa, Modi said.
“We believe that no plan for the future of the planet can be successful without the representation and the recognition from all the voices,” he said. There is the need to come out of a purely utilitarian worldview and embrace a “Sarva Jana Hitaay” and “Sarva Jana Sukhaaya” (for the welfare of all and for the happiness of all model, he added.
The Prime minister noted that India’s affinity to Africa is natural as it had millennia-old cultural and commercial ties with the region. When we say that we see the world as a family, we truly mean it. Every country’s voice matters, no matter the size, economy or region.”
In this, we are also inspired by the humane vision and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, Nelson Mandela and Kwame Nkrumah, he said. The prime minister said that India’s G20 Presidency had sowed the seeds of confidence in the countries that are called the “Third World” in international relations.
They are gaining greater confidence to shape the direction of the world in the coming years on many issues, such as climate change and global institutional reforms. We will move faster towards a more representative and inclusive order where every voice must be heard.
“Further, all this will happen with the cooperation of the developed countries because today, they are acknowledging the potential of the Global South more than ever before and recognising the aspirations of these countries as a force of the global good, he said. The G20 includes the wealthiest 19 countries and the European Union (EU)
