Tripti Nath/New Delhi

Japan has hailed the newly announced inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G 20.

The African Union is a continental body comprising 55 member States. It was officially launched in July, 2002 in Durban, South Africa, as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-'99)

It was during the inaugural remarks on the opening day of the G 20 Summit that Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the Chairperson of the African Union to take his place as the permanent member of the G 20. 

Shortly after the announcement, Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and AU Chaiperson, rose to take the seat as full member of the G20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Assoumani with a warm embrace, before the G 20 began deliberations.

Ms Hikariko ONO, Director General for Press and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, expressed happiness over the African Union’s permanent membership of the G20. In a exclusive conversation with Awaz The Voice, she said, “ Japan looks at African Union’s inclusion in G 20 with India’s efforts as a positive achievement. We have been supporting it. It means being able to listen to more voices of an entire continent. By listening to voices of the African Union, we can tackle global challenges and this can be of historic significance for G 20.’’ 

Ms ONO who also holds the charge of Press Secretary and Assistant Minister said that these challenges relate to development issues such as poverty reduction, food security besides issues of climate change and energy. 

The Assistant Minister said that for the Hiroshima G 7 summit, Japan invited countries like India, Indonesia, Cook Islands and Vietnam. “ We were able to get a good document on food security titled Hiroshima Action Statement for Resilient Global Food Security.’ 

Based on that positive outcome, we would like to link it to contribute to the discussion of G20. 

Talking of the agenda of the bilateral meeting on Saturday afternoon between India and Japan, Ms ONO said, “ Japan and India have been enjoying long standing partnership which is now called Special Strategic and Global Partnership. India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar has described the India-Japan relationship as the most natural strategic equation in Asia. We will reaffirm our deepening bilateral relations.’’ 

The Assistant Minister said that at the meeting with Prime Minisiter Narendra Modi, the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that coordination is underway to launch the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS). This scholarship will enable talented administrative officials study in Japan and play a crucial role in Japan-India relations. Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for this initiative.''

She also mentioned that there were discussions on defence and security cooperation as also issues in the economic sphere. "Japan and India have had joint exercises in land, air and sea including the first ever joint fighter jet exercises. There has been a lot of discussion about the provision of defence technology and equipment from Japan to India. Japan has been supporting the construction of high-speed train in India and we have just extended 400 billion Japanese Yen on preferential terms.''

She added that when the Japanese Prime Minister visited India last year in March, he and PM Modi designated 2023 as Japan Inda Tourism Exchange Year. There is a political will to boost people to people contact. “ In keeping with our commitment, we are ready to provide more scholarships.’’