Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the annual high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled for later this month. The 80th session of the UNGA commences on September 9, while the high-level general debate will take place from September 23 to 29.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not represent India at the annual high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this September. Instead, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will attend in New York on India's behalf and address global leaders. The 80th session of the UNGA is set to begin on September 9, with the high-level general debate running from September 23 to 29.
This annual session of the UNGA is considered the most significant platform for global diplomacy, where heads of state and government from various countries articulate their positions on international issues. This year's session is particularly crucial as it convenes amidst numerous pressing challenges faced by the international community, including the Israel-Hamas war, the conflict in Ukraine, climate change, and global economic instability.
PM Modi to Skip US Visit
According to the revised provisional list of speakers released on Friday, India will be represented by External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, rather than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is scheduled to address the general debate on September 27. It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Modi's name was initially listed for September 26 in the earlier speaker list. On that day, the heads of state from Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are also slated to speak at the forum.
However, as per UN tradition, this list remains provisional, and changes to speakers and schedules are possible before the high-level week.
Strain in US-India Relations
Prime Minister Modi visited the United States earlier this year in February, where he held a bilateral meeting with then-President Donald Trump at the White House. Discussions at that time covered several critical issues in the trade and energy sectors. However, the US has imposed a total tariff of 50 percent on India, including a 25 percent punitive duty on the purchase of Russian oil. Consequently, complexities persist in the trade relations between the US and India. This is why Prime Minister Modi's absence from the UNGA in person this year holds diplomatic significance on multiple levels.
The theme for the 80th session of the UNGA is: "80 Years and More: Together for Peace, Development, and Human Rights." This year's event coincides with several historic observances. On September 22, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations will be celebrated. On the same day, a high-level meeting will be convened to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, discussing progress made since the 1995 Beijing Conference.
On September 24, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene a Climate Summit where member states will present their new national climate action plans.
