During PM Modi’s inaugural speech at the G20 Summit 2023 in Delhi, the placard naming the country read ‘Bharat’. The African Union, a body of 55 member countries, on Saturday formally joined the G20, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposing its entry to the grouping and other leaders agreeing to it. PM Modi invited AU president Azali Assoumani to take his place as a member on the G20 leaders’ table, hugged him and welcomed him to the G20. Addressing the opening session of the 18th Summit of G20 leaders, PM Modi flagged the “big crisis of trust deficit” the world is facing, which, he said, has deepened due to the [Russia-Ukraine] war. He also expressed grief over the lives lost due to the earthquake in Morocco, saying that that the entire world community stands with Morocco in this difficult time. PM Modi said that the 21st century is an important time to show new direction and to give new direction.