New Delhi, September 6, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the high-level General Debate at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York later this month, according to a revised speakers’ list released by the UN on Friday. Instead, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will deliver India’s address on September 27, as reported by India Today.
Initially, a provisional list issued in July had scheduled Modi to speak on September 26, alongside leaders from Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The updated schedule, however, confirms Jaishankar as India’s representative, marking a shift in the country’s delegation. The UNGA session, commencing September 9, will focus on pressing global issues, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, while commemorating the UN’s 80th anniversary.
The General Debate, set for September 23–29, will open with Brazil, followed by the United States, where President Donald Trump will address world leaders on September 23, marking his first UNGA appearance since beginning his second term. India Today notes that Modi’s absence means he will not share the platform with other prominent leaders he often engages with internationally.
Tensions in India-US relations have surfaced recently, particularly following Trump’s imposition of a 50% tariff on Indian goods due to India’s oil purchases from Russia. Despite these strains, Trump described Modi as a “great Prime Minister” and emphasized their personal rapport, stating, “India and the United States have a very special relationship.” He also expressed disappointment over India’s trade ties with Russia and China, referencing a photo of Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin.
Jaishankar, a seasoned diplomat, is expected to articulate India’s stance on global challenges during the UNGA session, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to multilateral cooperation amid complex international dynamics.
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