New Delhi has said that it remains “supportive” of the African Union (AU) becoming a full-member of the G-20 grouping at the upcoming summit in New Delhi on 9-10 September.
“India would be supportive and will assist the AU in becoming a full member of the G-20,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesman Arindam Bagchi told a media briefing on Thursday.
Bagchi underlined that the AU had been a “permanent invitee” to all the G-20 summits held till date.
“Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has written to his counterparts proposing that the AU to be admitted as a full member. We hope that this happens. It will be premature to say this till all countries reach a “consensus. Let’s see what happens,” the Indian official remarked.
In June, PM Modi wrote to G-20 leaders, advocating a full-membership for AU.
At the time, the Indian Foreign Ministry said that the letter showed India’s “commitment to strengthen Africa’s role in shaping global affairs”.
Putin Voices Support for AU’s G20 Membership
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday also expressed Moscow’s support for AU’s G-20 membership.
In a meeting with AU President Azali Assoumani at the second Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg on Thursday, Putin said that a decision on the membership was expected at the upcoming summit in New Delhi.
Putin said that Russia was one of the first countries to back a full-fledged member status for the African Union in the G20 grouping.