NEW DELHI – According to the revised speaker’s list, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York later this month. This development marks a significant shift, as an earlier schedule had listed the Prime Minister to address the global body, amid tariff tensions between India and the United States after President Donald Trump imposed ‘punitive’ levies on New Delhi for purchasing oil from Russia amid the Ukraine war. Instead, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to represent India, a move that has sparked speculation amid a backdrop of strained diplomatic ties, particularly with the United States.
Considered the “busiest diplomatic season” of the year at the United Nations Headquarters, the high-level session opens in September annually. This year, the session will be set against the Israel-Hamas conflict as well as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, making it significant. The high-level General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly is set to take place from September 23 to 29, with Brazil traditionally opening the session, followed by the United States.
While the Ministry of External Affairs has yet to formally confirm the Prime Minister’s absence, sources suggest that UNGA is currently not on his travel itinerary. This decision comes amidst renewed tensions in the India-U.S. relationship, notably due to a tariff dispute. The possibility of a high-stakes bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, which would be a key reason for a prime ministerial visit, seems unlikely in the current environment.
The UNGA’s provisional list, a document that is often subject to last-minute changes, now places Minister Jaishankar on the agenda to deliver India’s national statement. This is not unprecedented, as the External Affairs Minister has stepped in for the Prime Minister at the UNGA in past years. However, the timing of this decision, following controversial remarks by President Trump and unresolved trade issues, has led to intense scrutiny.
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