PM Modi Skips UNGA Speech Amid Global Tensions
India sends minister as Trump, others take stage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the General Debate at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), set for September 23-29, 2025, according to a revised provisional list of speakers released by the UN. Instead, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India, delivering the address on September 27.
The UNGA’s high-level session, known as the “busiest diplomatic season” at UN Headquarters, opens on September 9, with the General Debate kicking off on September 23. Brazil traditionally speaks first, followed by US President Donald Trump, who will address world leaders on September 23 in his first UNGA speech of his second term. A previous list from July had Modi scheduled for September 26, alongside heads of government from Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
The decision comes amid strained US-India relations, following Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Modi’s visit to the US in February 2025 for a bilateral meeting with Trump at the White House did little to ease tensions, as trade disputes and geopolitical frictions persist.
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This year’s UNGA session, themed “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” coincides with major global challenges, including the Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The session opens with a commemoration of the UN’s 80th anniversary on September 22. Key events include a Climate Summit on September 24, hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to discuss new national climate action plans, and a high-level meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Other significant meetings during the high-level week include discussions on a sustainable global economy, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, youth empowerment, AI governance, nuclear disarmament, and the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. The provisional list of speakers remains subject to change, with updates expected as the session approaches.
Modi’s absence from the General Debate podium marks a shift from his previous high-profile UNGA appearances, where he often outlined India’s global vision. Jaishankar’s address is expected to reaffirm India’s commitment to multilateralism, climate action, and sustainable development, while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape shaped by rising tensions with the US and strengthening ties with non-Western blocs like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
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