The African Union’s membership boosts the G20’s representation of the Global South amid cautious statements on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
At the G20 summit in New Delhi, the African Union (AU) was welcomed as a new member, marking a significant step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to amplify the voices of the Global South. The inclusion of the AU is seen as a triumph for the Indian government, which has long advocated for a broader, more inclusive international decision-making process.
However, the summit’s final statement, released a day before the event formally concluded, was notably restrained on the issue of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Unlike the previous year’s statement, which condemned the invasion more directly, the G20’s 2023 statement focused on a broader appeal for peace. It called for all states to act in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly emphasizing the inadmissibility of territorial conquest through force and the use of nuclear weapons.
While the statement did not directly criticize Russia, it made clear that the threat or use of force to change borders or threaten sovereignty was unacceptable. The wording reflected deep divisions within the group, particularly among members with differing stances on Russia’s actions. Despite these disagreements, there was widespread support for the African Union’s inclusion, making it the second regional bloc after the European Union to hold permanent membership. This development is part of India’s broader agenda to strengthen the influence of developing nations in global affairs.