Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be speaking at the high-level 80th session of the UN General Assembly later this month. Instead, India’s statement will be delivered by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on September 27, as per a revised speakers’ list released on Friday. Earlier, a schedule published in July had listed Modi as a speaker for September 26, the same day leaders of Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are set to address the Assembly. With the change, Modi will not be sharing the UNGA stage this year with these leaders, whom he often meets at global forums.
Modi last traveled to the United States in February for a bilateral meeting with President Trump at the White House. Since taking office, Trump has placed tariffs adding up to 50 per cent on India, which include a 25 per cent tax specifically on India’s imports of Russian oil.
PM Modi last took part in the UN General Assembly’s main debate in 2021, during its 76th session. He did visit the UN Headquarters again last year, but not for the debate, instead, he spoke at the “Summit of the Future” event held two days earlier. Since 2022, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been delivering India’s address at the General Debate.
In his 11 years as Prime Minister, Modi has spoken at the UNGA’s general debate four times: in 2014, 2019, 2020, and 2021. In the other years, India’s statement was delivered either by then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj or by Jaishankar.
The UN General Assembly’s General Debate will take place from September 23 to 29. As is tradition, Brazil will speak first, followed by the United States. President Donald Trump will deliver his address on September 23, his first time at the UNGA since returning to the White House for a second term.
His speech will draw attention in New Delhi, especially since it comes just days after he criticised India for buying oil from Russia.
Throughout the week, world leaders will also attend high-level meetings on several global issues, including creating a sustainable and fair global economy, tackling non-communicable diseases and mental health challenges, marking 30 years of the World Programme of Action for Youth, launching a worldwide dialogue on AI governance, observing the International Day for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, and addressing the plight of Rohingya Muslims and other minority groups in Myanmar.
