The full inclusion of the African Union in the G20 is requested by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in a letter sent to the leaders of the countries, in view of the upcoming summit in India, as reported by Reuters.

Modi’s proposal to grant the African Union full membership in the G20 demonstrates India’s commitment to enhancing Africa’s representation and cooperation in shaping global affairs, the report said.

The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies. Members account for about 85% of world GDP, over 75% of world trade and about two-thirds of the world’s population.

The group includes 19 countries and the European Union. The G20 this year also invited nine non-member “host” countries, including Bangladesh, Singapore, Spain and Nigeria, in addition to international organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank and IMF.

“This will be a right step towards a fair, just, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance,” the source told Reuters of the African Union proposal. “(The) prime minister strongly believes in having a greater voice of the countries of the Global South on international platforms, especially African countries.”