India's Modi Announces African Union's Inclusion in G20

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the African Union (AU) has been granted permanent member status in the Group of 20 (G20) top world economies, making it the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union. Modi's move to include the AU as a permanent member reflects his drive to give a greater voice to the Global South. The G20 summit opened with the absence of key players like Russia and China, and tensions over the war in Ukraine threatened to hinder consensus on critical issues. The summit's agenda includes discussions on alternative fuels, digital infrastructure, food security, and climate financing. Human Rights Watch urged leaders not to let political differences distract from addressing human rights issues.