Prime Minister Modi to Skip High-level UN General Assembly Address; EAM Jaishankar to Speak on India’s Behalf

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen not to speak in the General Debate at this month's high-level session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). This is a big change. A revised provisional list of speakers says that India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will talk for the country and give the keynote address on September 27.

When the list was first made in July, PM Modi was supposed to speak on September 26, which was also the day that the leaders of Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were supposed to speak.

Dates and theme for the 80th UNGA session

On September 9, the 80th sitting of the UNGA will begin. The General Debate will take place from September 23 to September 29. As usual, Brazil will start the gathering, and then the US will speak.

"Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development, and Human Rights" is this year's theme, which shows how important it is for people all over the world to work together to solve problems like the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Important world leaders on stage

On September 23, US President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak to the Assembly. This will be his first UNGA visit since starting his second term in office. There are also high-profile leaders from Israel, China, and Pakistan who are set to speak.

It will now be EAM Jaishankar who represents India at these events. He has been a key figure in explaining India's foreign policy at these international events.

Agenda packed for UNGA

In addition to the General Debate, the UNGA will hold a number of important talks and events to mark the occasion:

• September 22: The United Nations turns 80 years old.

• The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, will lead the Climate Summit on September 24.

• The Beijing Declaration on Gender Equality is 30 years old.

Talks about the global economy, giving young people more power, governing AI, mental health, and ending nuclear weapons

Thoughts on the humanitarian situation the Rohingya community is going through

Backdrop: Tensions between India and the US

The move comes at a time when relations between India and the US are getting worse. The United States recently put 50% tariffs on Indian goods, plus an extra 25% tax because New Delhi keeps buying Russian crude oil.

Officials say that the list of speakers is only preliminary and could change at any time. This year, Jaishankar, not Modi, will talk at the Assembly about India's diplomatic priorities.