DELHI: The African Union (AU) invited by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the G20 as its newest permanent member is a move not surprising for many, claims BBC.
According to BBC, a key objective of the move is to unite Africa and enable it the opportunity to have a “unified voice in global affairs”. As Indian authorities geared up to host the G20 Summit, tens of thousands of security personnel were deployed in Delhi to ensure the safety of the foreign delegates and global leaders visiting. On the occasion, the Indian government has declared a three days holiday across offices and schools in Delhi.
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Severe security restrictions have been implemented in Central Delhi where the summit is set to take place. Public venues including theatres, restaurants, and shops are to remain closed from Friday to Sunday, whereas residents have been advised to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Aside from the Delhi police, personnel from other government services have also been sworn in for added security for the global summit. Indian fighter planes and paramilitary forces are among those deployed to safeguard the city, confirmed a report.
According to BBC, PM Modi has repeatedly said India’s G20 presidency is geared towards greater participation of the Global South in international affairs which includes the African Union, as a major part of the initiative. Expressing pride at the presidency of the G20, Modi’s India has seen the “largest-ever participation from African countries”.
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The Bharat plaque on PM Modi’s table at the G20 summit. Credit: BBC.
What are the Key Points of the Summit?
According to international media, the key points of the Summit include the Russia-Ukraine war with experts raising concerns it may be a real risk to the overall summit. On the other hand, India is focused on avoiding the conversation and instead using its presidency to keep the participating countries focused on what it sees as significant to the global political narrative.
It is believed India wants to keep its focus on the challenges of developing countries as many have been struggling to repay debts to lenders like China and the IMF, and the Delhi administration wants to urge financially sufficient countries to help them. Another potent issue that may be raised is climate change. According to experts, India wants to build consensus on it as developing countries are expected to suffer the most from the threat of rising climate change. Aside from these, the summit is set to deliberate on issues of global supply chains, pandemic preparedness, terrorism, and security challenges, respectively.
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Which Leaders will remain Absent?
According to reports, Presidents Putin and Xi will not be attending the G20 Summit. Confirming his absence from the summit, Russia’s Putin said his schedule will not allow him to do so adding that he “likely” wants to avoid the possibility of arrest by the ICC (International Criminal Court), which has accused him of committing war crimes in Ukraine. It is believed the ongoing conflict will be a major point of contention at the summit, however, the Russian administration continues to claim its actions in Ukraine are a “special military operation” and not a full-out war.
On the other hand, China’s President Xi Jinping will also not be in attendance despite having attended all previous summits since taking office. Following Xi’s absence, US President Biden expressed disappointment adding the move may come as a snub to India. Nonetheless, China which is the strongest strategic partner to Russia has been reluctant to sign anything that may condemn the country’s actions in Ukraine.
In the last year alone, trade between China and Russia has risen by thirty percent in the wake of sanctions on the latter by the Western countries, reported BBC.
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US President Biden with PM Modi at the G20. Credit: BBC
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UK’s PM Rishi Sunak at the G20 with PM Modi. Credit: BBC.
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Arrival of Delegates & the Media Fraternity
According to international media, with the G20 summit set to begin at India’s Bharat Mandapam, a “tightly-guarded venue”, hundreds of journalists and media personnel have gathered to witness the arrival of world leaders and delegates.
The first session of the summit titled “One Earth” will reportedly be dedicated to climate change and the global net-zero emission agenda.
On the other hand, PM Modi has offered condolences and assistance to the victims of the Morocco earthquake in their “difficult time”. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) the Indian PM wrote: “In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco”. It is pertinent to note that a 6.8 magnitude earthquake has killed around 296 people and injured others.
Addressing the participating delegates in his opening address, PM Modi said: “We should uphold a human-centric approach while meeting challenges of the 21st Century”.
Among the delegates attending the summit are British PM Rishi Sunak whose arrival was followed by US President Biden and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s arrival at the summit.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with PM Modi. Credit: BBC.
PM Modi greets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Credit: BBC
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India’s G20 Fever Reaches a High
The summit comes before the upcoming 2024 General Elections in India, which could potentially bolster Modi’s image in the public as a leader who “commands respect” from the global community. This is why the government has organized nearly 200 meetings across the country to ensure a grand affair for the Delhi summit. A former Ambassador Jitendra Nath Misra has said that the public views it as a big event. Misra added that it “makes them feel proud about their country”.
Modi’s ‘Historic’ Hug at the G20 Summit
Modi hugs African Union chair and Comoros President Azali Assoumani. Credit: BBC
Starting the summit, Modi hugged Azali Assoumani, the President of the African Union (AU), after asking him to take his seat as a permanent member of the G20. The hug will reportedly go down in “history” remarked a member of the delegation. Including the AU in its folds will make the G20 a more inclusive group of delegates because it brings with it a regional bloc of approximately fifty-five member states.
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Inviting the bloc chair, Azali Assoumani, PM Modi said: “I believe that inclusion of African Union will get the support of all”.
It is worth noting that India has been advocating in favor of the AU for some time now, a move that has been supported by countries such as Russia, the US, Australia, and Japan after President Macky Sall of Senegal proposed the idea back in 2022.
PM Modi welcomes United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Credit: BBC.
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