African Union (AU) Chairman Azali Assoumani said India is a superpower in terms of “population” and “now surpasses China”, ANI reported on Sunday.
The Comoros Union President said there is plenty of room for India, the world’s fifth-largest superpower, to expand into Africa.
“India is the fifth superpower in the world, so there is plenty of room for India to expand in Africa. We also know that India is so powerful that it has gone into space. So we have to adjust. There is only a need…India is a superpower in terms of settlements, India has now surpassed China,” ANI quoted Asumani as saying.
AU chair also praised India’s progress in space research
Assomani said it was an emotional moment for him when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugged him after formally joining the African Union into the G20 family.
The AU chairman had expected discussions to take place before a decision was taken to include the African Union in the G20 family, but added that the AU was announced as a member of the G20 family at the beginning of the two-day summit on Sunday. . .
“I almost cried. It was a big emotion for me. In fact, we thought there would be a discussion and then a decision would be taken, but at the beginning of the summit we were told that we would not be participating. Because it was announced ‘members,’ Assomani was quoted as saying.
In his opening remarks at the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi invited the African Union, represented by Assoumani, to sit at the G20 leaders’ table as a permanent member.
The African Union President expressed his gratitude to the G20 Member States for the African Union’s historic addition to the G20 family.
Using his official handle ‘X’, Asoumani wrote: ‘The G20 has just approved the membership of @_AfricanUnion through the voice of Indian Prime Minister @NarendraModi. On behalf of the African continent, I would like to express my gratitude to this historic admission. A big thank you to all the member countries of @g20org.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi met with Atsomani and congratulated the African nation on joining the G20 family.
Prime Minister Modi took up his official handle on ‘X’ and posted: Congratulations again to @_AfricanUnion on joining his G20 family. Comoros is an integral part of his SAGAR vision for India. Our consideration included ways to strengthen cooperation in areas such as shipping and trade. ”
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi said the African Union’s participation in the G20 was a “huge step forward” towards a more inclusive global dialogue. He said India is looking forward to a cooperative effort that will benefit the whole world.