- African Union admission as a permanent member, signals success of India
- PM Modi urges Leaders to work together and reduce Global Trust Deficit
By K V Prasad
NEW DELHI, September 9. The New Delhi Leaders’ Summit got off to a spectacular start on Saturday with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration that carefully navigated concerns on the Ukraine-Russia conflict by building a consensus.
The unanimous adoption on the opening day of the two-day meet created a sensation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the breakthrough in the second of the three sessions scheduled at the meeting.
The New Delhi declaration did not contain any reference to deploring the Russian military action against Ukraine and demanding withdrawal from the territory, which was incorporated at the Bali, where the last G20 was held. The Eighth of the 83 paragraphs referred to resolutions at the UN Security Council and General Assembly. It noted that “all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible”.
The adoption is a major accomplishment for India, the Chair of the G20 and demonstrated the political will of PM Narendra Modi to ensure that the New Delhi Summit ends with a positive outcome negating all doubts over it. The absence of President Xi Jinping of China and his Russian counterpart, Vladmir Putin had led to many analysts’ belief expressing doubts over the final outcomes.
Right from the start of the day, India’s stamp on the Summit was clearly visible. The prestigious meeting that saw attendance of 17 leaders from G20 countries and nine special invitees besides institutional chief will be remembered for admission of the African Union as a permanent member to G20.
It was a moment of immense satisfaction for India when Prime Minister Modi announced at the start of the Summit to make the G20 more inclusive and invited the African Union to take a seat.
Symbolically, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar walked up to the President of the African Union and the President of Comoros, Mr. Azali Assoumi, and escorted him to the high table to sit with the Leaders.
“Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the G20 family indeed”., PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter). The moment also marked triumph for PM Modi who took the initiative of writing to leaders of the G20 for formal inclusion of the African Union into the forum.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi received the world leaders at Bharat Mandapam, a specially constructed convention centre at Pragati Maidan. He received the dignitaries with the Konark wheel, forming a majestic backdrop. The visual connected the invitees to India’s historical link with the 13th Century Sun Temple in Odisha. The 24 spokes wheel forms part of the national flag.
The day’s event saw the conclusion of two sessions – the first one the theme of One Earth”, and the second on ‘One Family” and ended with President Droupadi Murmu hosting a dinner for the guests. On the concluding day, the third and final session on One Future, the third of the three themes will be held.
In another significant development at a separate event, a Memorandum of Understanding – the India-Middle East- Europe Economic Corridor – was finalised. The major infrastructure project is expected to spur development through connectivity and economic assimilation between Asia, the Gulf and Europe. The project is also a response to the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. The corridor will consist of two separate corridors -the eastern section connecting India.
