HEIR TO, UPHOLDER OF MAHATMA'S LEGACY, NARENDRA MODI UNVEILS G21

African Union gets rightful place on global high table as India pounds its G20 presidential gavel.

- SHUBHABRATA BHATTACHARYA

That India will emerge as the resonant voice of the Global South  during its rotational presidency of G20 was evident since January when it hosted a virtual interaction called Voice of the Global South. In the run up to the summit, which began on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and India’s Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, had left no one in doubt that India will use its presidency to cannonade opinions culled from 120 nations during this virtual summit. As world leaders congregated at New Delhi’s newest magnificent architectural delight, Bharat Mandapam International ExhibitionConvention Centre (IECC), at Pragati Maidan, Narendra Modi changed the very paradigm of this 2008-vintage international forum by using his opening remarks to invite the 55-nation-strong African Union to be a permanent member of the world’s high table. As Modi banged the G20 presidential gravel thrice, S. Jaishankar walked up to Comorian statesman Azali Assoumani and invited him to join the dais. Amid applause President of the African Union took his seat. Ensuring African Union its rightful place in the comity of nations, G20 emerged as G21.

Narendra Modi’s “tweet” on X reflected the glory of the historic moment: “Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South.”