New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the African Union to take a seat as a permanent member at the start of the G20 summit.

It marks the first expansion of the group since its formation as a group of 20 major economies in 1999.

It is to remind you that the idea was floated in June this year, when Modi wrote to G20 leaders to propose that the African Union be given full membership at the upcoming Summit of G20, as requested by them.

It is said that the decision will help India to mainstream the “Voice Of The Global South”. with this India has also pitched itself as a leader of the developing and underdeveloped countries.

The G20 gathering is expected to be renamed as G21 following the induction of the African Union. However, it is unclear whether the bloc's name will officially change from G20 to G21.
 

Meanwhile, here you can take a look at the members of the “G21”.

 Argentina 
 Australia 
 Brazil 
 Canada 
 China 
 France 
 Germany 
 India 
 Indonesia 
 Italy 
 Japan 
 Republic of Korea 
 Mexico 
 Russia 
 Saudi Arabia 
 South Africa 
 Türkiye 
 United Kingdom 
 United States 
 European Union 
 African Union