India is a superpower in terms of "inhabitance" and "ahead of China now," Azali Assoumani, said chairperson of the African Union (AU), reported ANI.

The President of the Union of Comoros said there was enough room for India in Africa, the fifth superpower in the world.

"India is the 5th superpower in the world so there is enough room for India in Africa. We also know that India is so powerful that it went to space. So we just need to coordinate...India is a superpower in terms of inhabitance, India is ahead of China now," the ANI quoted Assoumani as saying.

The AU chairperson also praised India for advancements in space research

Assoumani said it was an emotional moment one for him, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugged him after formally inducting the African Union into the G20 family.

The AU chairperson added that he thought there would be a debate before a decision is arrived to induct the African Union into the G20 family at but the AU was announced as part of the G20 family at the very outset of the two-day summit.

"I was about to cry. It was a great emotion for me. Because actually, we thought that there was going to be a debate and then a decision would be taken but at the very beginning of the Summit it was announced that we were a member," the Assoumani was reported as saying.

PM Modi in his opening remark only invited the African Union, represented by Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.

The African Union chairperson expressed his gratitude to the G20 member countries for the historic inclusion of the bloc in the G20 family.

On Sunday, PM Modi held a meeting with Assoumani. "Had a very fruitful meeting with @PR_AZALI. Congratulated him once again on @_AfricanUnion joining the G20 family. Comoros is vital to India's SAGAR Vision. Our deliberations included ways to enhance cooperation in areas like shipping, trade and more," Modi posted on X.