India’s Emergence as a Superpower
During the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the African Union (AU) to join the G20 as a permanent member. This move has been widely regarded as an important step towards nurturing a more inclusive global dialogue. Azali Assoumani, the Chairperson of the AU and President of the Union of Comoros, expressed his deep appreciation for this historic inclusion. Furthermore, he highlighted India’s ascendant status as a global superpower.
Azali Assoumani commended India’s remarkable standing as the fifth superpower in the world today. He underscored that there is abundant room for India to engage and collaborate with Africa.
Notably, he emphasized that India’s population has now surpassed that of China, signifying the country’s demographic vigor. In addition, he paid tribute to India’s extraordinary achievements in space research, lauding its prowess in space exploration. Assoumani specifically praised India’s remarkable strides in space research. India’s renowned space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has achieved extraordinary achievements in recent years, including successful missions to Mars and the Moon.
Gratitude to G20 Member Countries
Assoumani shared a poignant moment when Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed the African Union into the G20 family during the summit. He expressed his astonishment at the rapid decision to include the AU, as the announcement was made at the very outset of the two-day summit. He described this moment as profoundly touching and unexpected, highlighting the warmth of the gesture.
Had a very fruitful meeting with @PR_AZALI. Congratulated him once again on @_AfricanUnion joining the G20 family. Comoros is vital to India’s SAGAR Vision. Our deliberations included ways to enhance cooperation in areas like shipping, trade and more. pic.twitter.com/Zd4Nbm7YvZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
The Chairperson of the AU conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the member countries of the G20 for this historic inclusion. He conveyed this appreciation through a social media post, thanking the G20 for embracing the African Union as a valued member. This gesture underscores the significance of collaborative endeavors on a global scale.
Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Modi
Prime Minister Modi held a productive bilateral meeting with Azali Assoumani to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation resulting from the AU’s inclusion in the G20. During the meeting, PM Modi extended his congratulations to Assoumani on the AU’s membership in the G20 family. They also engaged in discussions about avenues to strengthen cooperation in areas such as shipping and trade, aligning with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) Vision.
Wrap Up
The inclusion of the African Union in the G20 represents a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. Prime Minister Modi’s invitation exemplifies India’s commitment to inclusiveness and collaborative engagement on the international stage. Azali Assoumani’s commendation of India’s superpower status and remarkable achievements in space science underscores India’s ever-expanding influence and reputation.
