India & Africa to bond in P-20 Summit amid deepening strategic play

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By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, October 6: India played a pivotal role in inducting the African Union in the G20 at the Leaders’ Summit held last month in New Delhi, Now, India will be hosting Speakers of all parliaments from the African continent in New Delhi as part of the ninth two-day long G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit.

“The Speakers of the Pan African Parliament will be participating in the P-20 Summit in India for the first time,” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Friday, while briefing the media about the upcoming event which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s bid to make deep inroads in Africa has gained urgency amid accelerated strategic play rolling out in the continent with China and Russia seeking to wean away the African nations from the influence of the western bloc. Africa is also stated to be the next economic growth engine, while sitting over the reservoir of mines and minerals, which are being eyed by the western nations, as well as China.

It may be recalled that African Union was exclusively invited for India-Africa meeting during the Gandhinagar DefenceExpo last year also. With the announcement of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, African continent is strategically being eyed for countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as per the Indian diplomatic community.

Birla also informed that the 9th P20 Summit will be held from 13 to 14 October 2023 at the newly constructed India International Convention and Expo Center (IICC), Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. “Apart from G-20 countries, 10 other countries and international organizations will participate in the Summit and so far, 50 Parliamentarians and 14 Secretaries General including 26 Presidents, 10 Vice Presidents, one Committee Chairman and the IPU President have confirmed their participation,” said Birla, who also added that Canadian parliamentary speaker has also confirmed participation in the P-20 Summit.

Birla also informed that four high-level sessions will be organized during the P-20 Summit on accelerating SDGs, Sustainable Energy Transition, Women-led Development, and Transformation in People’s Lives through Public Digital Platforms. Birla informed that the Summit will conclude with a joint statement urging G-20 governments to provide solutions to major global challenges based on equality, inclusivity and peace.