Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to the leaders of the G20 nations, proposing the African Union (AU) be given full, permanent membership of the diplomatic group at its upcoming summit in India, an official source said.

The source said that Mr Modi’s proposal to grant the AU full membership in the G20 demonstrates India’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s representation and partnership in shaping global affairs.

The G20, or Group of 20, is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.

The members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The grouping comprises 19 countries and the European Union.

The G20 this year also invited nine non-member “guest” countries, including Bangladesh, Singapore, Spain, and Nigeria, besides international organisations such as the United Nations, World Health Organisation, the World Bank and the IMF.

“This will be a right step towards a just, fair, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance,” the source said of the African Union proposal.

“The prime minister is a strong believer in having a greater Voice of the Global South countries on international platforms, particularly of African countries.

“This will be a right step towards a just, fair, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance,” the source said of the African Union proposal.

“(The) prime minister is a strong believer in having a greater Voice of the Global South countries on international platforms, particularly of African countries.” 

(Reuters/NAN)