Group of 20 expands as African Union joins bloc

The African Union joined the Group of 20 leading economies at its summit on Saturday, giving the continent more of a voice on the global stage, with host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying it turned the often divided bloc into the “people’s G20.”

“With everyone’s approval, I request the African Union head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” Modi said in his opening address, banging a ceremonial gavel.

Modi has painted the summit as India’s diplomatic coming of age and is pushing for his country — which wants a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council — to be seen as a voice of the Global South.