PM Modi won’t address UNGA high-level session; EAM Jaishankar to step in

The revised development comes months after PM Modi travelled to Washington in February for a bilateral meeting with Trump at the White House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the high-level General Debate at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month, according to a revised provisional list of speakers issued on Friday.

The 80th UNGA session is slated to formally open on September 9, with the annual General Debate scheduled from September 23 to 29.

Following traditions, Brazil will deliver the first address, followed by the U.S.

US President Donald Trump will speak on September 23, marking his first address to the Assembly in his second term in the White House.

As per the updated list of speakers, India will be represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is slated to speak on September 27.

PM Modi had earlier been scheduled to deliver India’s address on September 26, according to a previous list issued in July. On that day, leaders of Israel, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh are also expected to speak.

The revised development comes months after PM Modi travelled to Washington in February for a bilateral meeting with Trump at the White House. However, since then, Trump has imposed tariffs totalling 50 percent on India, including a 25 percent duty on New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.

UN officials noted that the General Debate schedule remains provisional and may see further changes as the high-level week approaches.

Often described as the “busiest diplomatic season” of the year, the UNGA high-level week convenes annually in September. This year’s session is being held against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The overarching theme is “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”

The session will begin with a commemorative meeting on September 22 to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

A number of thematic events will take place alongside the General Debate. On September 24, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene a Climate Summit, providing a platform for countries to unveil new national climate action plans and advance the transition to clean energy.

The UNGA will also mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women with a high-level meeting under the theme “Recommitting to, resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.” The meeting will assess progress since 1995 while identifying achievements, gaps and challenges in advancing gender equality.

Other high-level meetings scheduled during the week include a Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy; a session on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health and Well-being; the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth; the launch of a Global Dialogue on AI Governance; the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons; and deliberations on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.