<p>India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar repeated New Delhi's case for reforms in the United Nations by citing the example of African Union's inclusion in G20 during India's presidency of the grouping of the world's wealthiest economies last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jaishankar said that the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member of the group was the "international version" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantees, adding that AU's&nbsp;inclusion has spurred a debate on not just multilateralism but even on UN reforms.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-how-diplomacy-of-modis-bharat-pulled-off-african-unions-inclusion-634443">G20 Summit: How diplomacy of Modi's 'Bharat' pulled off African Union's inclusion</a></strong></p>

<p>The EAM was speaking at the launch of the book 'India and the Future of G20: Shaping Policies for a Better World'.</p>

<p>"Our G20 Presidency was a notable period in our diplomatic history. Resonating domestically, its many achievements have been widely appreciated. From getting multilateralism back on track, to fulfilling Modi's guarantee to Africa, there is much that India should be proud of," Jaishankar posted on X.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pleased to participate in launch of the book: ‘India and the Future of the G20’ this evening.<br />
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Our G20 Presidency was a notable period in our diplomatic history. Resonating domestically, its many achievements have been widely appreciated.<br />
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From getting multilateralism back on… <a href="https://t.co/2lOMw1TC9Y">pic.twitter.com/2lOMw1TC9Y</a></p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1753463141583974409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Addressing the event, Jaishankar said, "Around five months ago, we had the G20 Summit. It's been two months since India relinquished its presidency. So, it's a natural thought for many us who were involved with the G20 to reflect on how it proceeds, how it is perceived, how it is remembered, and how it is analysed."</p>

<h2><strong>PM Modi lived up to his promise: Jaishankar</strong></h2>

<p>The External Affairs Minister described New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit as an opportunity for a number of countries who had an affinity for common interests and stakes but were not included in the global decision-making process.</p>

<p>"There's not a single African President, Prime Minister or Foreign Minister who has not thanked us for what is seen truly as a big step in Africa's rise, a recognition today that Africa should have a voice. In fact, in a very interesting way, it has also spurred a debate on not just multilateralism but even on UN reform. I mean, the feeling is that if a body like the G20 could add a member, surely this should serve as an inspiration for other bodies, not least the United Nations," Jaishankar said.</p>

<p>Jaishankar said that&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured the then African Union President Macky Sall during Bali G2) Summit in 2022 that India would ensure African Union's inclusion as a permanent G20 member during its presidency.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;G20 Summit 2023 : What is G20 Summit and what's the history behind</strong></p>

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<p>"Then President of the African Union, Macky Sall, came up, he was very agitated. He felt that the assurances that had been given that the African Union would be considered for the presidency. There was no discussion. The Indonesian presidency, much of the oxygen was taken by the Ukraine issue. He articulated his feelings very strongly, and I heard Prime Minister Modi assure him, 'Don't worry, we are now going to pick the baton'. So, for me, this was an international version of '<em>Modi Ki Guarantee</em>' that he guaranteed Macky Sall that in our presidency, we will get it done," he further added.</p>

<p>India's G20 presidency achieved its fruition during New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit in September this year when it hosted over 40 global leaders and their delegations. The inclusion of African Union as permanent G20 member, the launch of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as well as the inclusion&nbsp;of International Solar Alliance (ISA) into final leaders' statement emerged as defining highlights of New Delhi's stewardship of the world's wealthiest economies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar repeated New Delhi's case for reforms in the United Nations by citing the example of African Union's inclusion in G20 during India's presidency of the grouping of the world's wealthiest economies last year.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar repeated New Delhi's case for reforms in the United Nations by citing the example of African Union's inclusion in G20 during India's presidency of the grouping of the world's wealthiest economies last year. Jaishankar said that the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member of the group was the "international version" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantees, adding that AU's inclusion has spurred a debate on not just multilateralism but even on UN reforms. Also read | G20 Summit: How diplomacy of Modi's 'Bharat' pulled off African Union's inclusion The EAM was speaking at the launch of the book 'India and the Future of G20: Shaping Policies for a Better World'. "Our G20 Presidency was a notable period in our diplomatic history. Resonating domestically, its many achievements have been widely appreciated. From getting multilateralism back on track, to fulfilling Modi's guarantee to Africa, there is much that India should be proud of," Jaishankar posted on X. Pleased to participate in launch of the book: ‘India and the Future of the G20’ this evening. Our G20 Presidency was a notable period in our diplomatic history. Resonating domestically, its many achievements have been widely appreciated. From getting multilateralism back on… pic.twitter.com/2lOMw1TC9Y — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 2, 2024 × Addressing the event, Jaishankar said, "Around five months ago, we had the G20 Summit. It's been two months since India relinquished its presidency. So, it's a natural thought for many us who were involved with the G20 to reflect on how it proceeds, how it is perceived, how it is remembered, and how it is analysed." PM Modi lived up to his promise: Jaishankar The External Affairs Minister described New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit as an opportunity for a number of countries who had an affinity for common interests and stakes but were not included in the global decision-making process. "There's not a single African President, Prime Minister or Foreign Minister who has not thanked us for what is seen truly as a big step in Africa's rise, a recognition today that Africa should have a voice. In fact, in a very interesting way, it has also spurred a debate on not just multilateralism but even on UN reform. I mean, the feeling is that if a body like the G20 could add a member, surely this should serve as an inspiration for other bodies, not least the United Nations," Jaishankar said. Jaishankar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured the then African Union President Macky Sall during Bali G2) Summit in 2022 that India would ensure African Union's inclusion as a permanent G20 member during its presidency. Also watch | G20 Summit 2023 : What is G20 Summit and what's the history behind × "Then President of the African Union, Macky Sall, came up, he was very agitated. He felt that the assurances that had been given that the African Union would be considered for the presidency. There was no discussion. The Indonesian presidency, much of the oxygen was taken by the Ukraine issue. He articulated his feelings very strongly, and I heard Prime Minister Modi assure him, 'Don't worry, we are now going to pick the baton'. So, for me, this was an international version of 'Modi Ki Guarantee' that he guaranteed Macky Sall that in our presidency, we will get it done," he further added. India's G20 presidency achieved its fruition during New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit in September this year when it hosted over 40 global leaders and their delegations. The inclusion of African Union as permanent G20 member, the launch of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as well as the inclusion of International Solar Alliance (ISA) into final leaders' statement emerged as defining highlights of New Delhi's stewardship of the world's wealthiest economies. (With inputs from agencies)

Promised in Bali, delivered in Delhi: EAM Jaishankar on how India pulled off African Union's G20 inclusion

<p>The geopolitical ripples from the gavel hammered by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to announce the inclusion of African Union in Group of 20 nations held particular significance for 55 African nations that potentially transformed G20 into G21 on September 9, 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hours before the unanimous adoption of New Delhi leaders' declaration, in his opening speech, Modi invited the chair of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, to take his seat as a permanent member of the league of world's wealthiest nations as other leaders applauded and looked on.&nbsp;<img alt="Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in New Delhi as the 55-nation bloc became a permanent member of G20 | X/@narendramodi " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7db6477d-48b6-49ba-a0f3-7ddc52bbf8da" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-09-10T141720.729.png" /></p>

<p><em>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embraced African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in New Delhi as the 55-nation bloc became a permanent member of G20 on September 10, 2023| X/@narendramodi&nbsp;</em></p>

<p>Hailing it as a step towards "collaborative future" and G20's "collective commitment to global progress", Modi cheered the African Union's inclusion to the G20 as a move towards "a brighter future for the Global South."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is an honour to welcome the <a href="https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_AfricanUnion</a> to the G20 fold. India believes in a collaborative future and this step further solidifies our collective commitment to global progress. Here's to a brighter future for the Global South. <a href="https://t.co/HwIo29ROEo">https://t.co/HwIo29ROEo</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1700461943713362429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The African Union is a continental body consisting of 55 member states.</p>

<p>Up until G20 Bali summit in 2022, the African Union had been a guest invitee to one of the world’s most powerful geo-economic bodies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amid calls for equitable representation for the countries of Global South, the African Union, however, continues to be a guest invitee in other major global organisations, including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.</p>

<p>"It gives a fresh win to the idea of reformed and inclusive multilateralism. Just as India has actively supported the idea of bringing AU into G20, the world will some day soon recognise that India and Africa's representative states should also be included in the UN Security Council," said Rajiv Bhatia, a former Indian ambassador and Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai-based Gateway House.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/indias-diplomatic-masterstroke-at-g20-summit-634433">India's diplomatic masterstroke at G20 Summit</a></strong></p>

<p>The expansion of G20 shows a larger 'desirability for inclusive multilateralism' in global governance bodies, he pointed out.</p>

<p>India has been campaigning to amend the UN Charter to create additional permanent seats at the UN Security Council.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;G20 Summit 2023: Joint declaration backs common framework for debt reduction</strong></p>

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<p>Since 2005, India is part of G-4, a political cooperative alliance comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, who support each other's bids for permanent seats on the UNSC while calling for equitable representation and multilateral and global governance bodies.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>African Union in G20: The China factor</strong></h2>

<p>Chinese President Xi Jinping's absence was widely deemed as a snub to India's G20 stewardship and a sign of geopolitical fissures preventing a joint declaration to prevail.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But New Delhi's diplomats proved skeptics wrong by preceding the adoption of New Delhi leaders' declaration with African Union's inclusion in the G20.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Experts say that China did not want to be a spoilsport just for the sake of it, and that while credit goes to India for pulling through African Union's successful inclusion, the unanimity of the decision implies that China also assented to the bloc's admission into G20.</p>

<p>"With other countries accepting most of the logic of what India was proposing, China would have been termed as a spoiler," Harsh Pant, the Vice President of Studies and Foreign Policy at New Delhi-headquartered Observer Research Foundation (ORF) told <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-china-agrees-to-delhi-declaration-what-does-it-mean-634379">WION's Heena Sharma on September 10</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I don't think China wanted to be out of the tent simply for the sake of it," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Rajiv Bhatia, who also&nbsp;served as Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) from 2012–2015, if it wasn't for India, the initiative to include African Union in G20 would have fallen flat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The credit would nevertheless go to India because India started the entire process and carried it forward till the end. And therefore, you know, Africans fruitfully appreciate that without India's and Prime Minister Modi's steadfast support, the initiative would have fallen flat as it did last year during Indonesia's presidency." he said.</p>

<p>"So now there is a big chance for the next two presidencies; Brazil and South Africa to build on this development and ensure that Africa's key concerns are built into G20 agenda," Bhatia added.</p>

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The geopolitical ripples from the gavel hammered by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to announce the inclusion of African Union in Group of 20 nations held particular significance for 55 African nations that potentially transformed G20 into G21 on September 9, 2023.

The geopolitical ripples from the gavel hammered by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to announce the inclusion of African Union in Group of 20 nations held particular significance for 55 African nations that potentially transformed G20 into G21 on September 9, 2023. Hours before the unanimous adoption of New Delhi leaders' declaration, in his opening speech, Modi invited the chair of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, to take his seat as a permanent member of the league of world's wealthiest nations as other leaders applauded and looked on. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embraced African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in New Delhi as the 55-nation bloc became a permanent member of G20 on September 10, 2023| X/@narendramodi Hailing it as a step towards "collaborative future" and G20's "collective commitment to global progress", Modi cheered the African Union's inclusion to the G20 as a move towards "a brighter future for the Global South." It is an honour to welcome the @_AfricanUnion to the G20 fold. India believes in a collaborative future and this step further solidifies our collective commitment to global progress. Here's to a brighter future for the Global South. https://t.co/HwIo29ROEo — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023 × The African Union is a continental body consisting of 55 member states. Up until G20 Bali summit in 2022, the African Union had been a guest invitee to one of the world’s most powerful geo-economic bodies. Amid calls for equitable representation for the countries of Global South, the African Union, however, continues to be a guest invitee in other major global organisations, including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. "It gives a fresh win to the idea of reformed and inclusive multilateralism. Just as India has actively supported the idea of bringing AU into G20, the world will some day soon recognise that India and Africa's representative states should also be included in the UN Security Council," said Rajiv Bhatia, a former Indian ambassador and Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai-based Gateway House. Also read | India's diplomatic masterstroke at G20 Summit The expansion of G20 shows a larger 'desirability for inclusive multilateralism' in global governance bodies, he pointed out. India has been campaigning to amend the UN Charter to create additional permanent seats at the UN Security Council. Also watch | G20 Summit 2023: Joint declaration backs common framework for debt reduction × Since 2005, India is part of G-4, a political cooperative alliance comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, who support each other's bids for permanent seats on the UNSC while calling for equitable representation and multilateral and global governance bodies. African Union in G20: The China factor Chinese President Xi Jinping's absence was widely deemed as a snub to India's G20 stewardship and a sign of geopolitical fissures preventing a joint declaration to prevail. But New Delhi's diplomats proved skeptics wrong by preceding the adoption of New Delhi leaders' declaration with African Union's inclusion in the G20. Experts say that China did not want to be a spoilsport just for the sake of it, and that while credit goes to India for pulling through African Union's successful inclusion, the unanimity of the decision implies that China also assented to the bloc's admission into G20. "With other countries accepting most of the logic of what India was proposing, China would have been termed as a spoiler," Harsh Pant, the Vice President of Studies and Foreign Policy at New Delhi-headquartered Observer Research Foundation (ORF) told WION's Heena Sharma on September 10. "I don't think China wanted to be out of the tent simply for the sake of it," he added. According to Rajiv Bhatia, who also served as Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) from 2012–2015, if it wasn't for India, the initiative to include African Union in G20 would have fallen flat. "The credit would nevertheless go to India because India started the entire process and carried it forward till the end. And therefore, you know, Africans fruitfully appreciate that without India's and Prime Minister Modi's steadfast support, the initiative would have fallen flat as it did last year during Indonesia's presidency." he said. "So now there is a big chance for the next two presidencies; Brazil and South Africa to build on this development and ensure that Africa's key concerns are built into G20 agenda," Bhatia added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

G20 Summit: How diplomacy of Modi's 'Bharat' pulled off African Union's inclusion

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Promised in Bali, delivered in Delhi: EAM Jaishankar on how India pulled off African Union's G20 inclusion

G20 Summit: How diplomacy of Modi's 'Bharat' pulled off African Union's inclusion