PM Modi to skip UN session in US this month, S. Jaishankar to address General debate
An earlier list released in July had slated Modi to speak on September 26, a day when the heads of government of Israel, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh are scheduled to address the Assembly.
PTC News Desk: Prime Minister Modi will not address the General debate at the United Nations General Assembly later this month. The high-level UNGA session is slated to be held in the United States. Instead, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will deliver India’s statement on September 27, according to a revised list of speakers issued on Friday.
An earlier list released in July had slated Modi to speak on September 26, a day when the heads of government of Israel, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh are scheduled to address the Assembly.
The General Debate will kickstart from September 23-29, with Brazil speaking first followed by the United States. US President Donald Trump will address world leaders on September 23, marking his first UNGA appearance since returning to the White House for a second term.
Trump’s upcoming speech is drawing attention in New Delhi, just days after he openly criticised India over its oil imports from Russia. Earlier in the week, the US President remarked that Washington had “lost India and Russia to China,” but later clarified that he was simply “very disappointed” with India’s continued reliance on Russian oil. He also said his administration had imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India in response.
Still, Trump highlighted his rapport with Modi, describing him as a “great Prime Minister” and emphasising that the two would “always be friends.” He added that the India-US partnership remained “very special,” noting there was “nothing to worry about” aside from “occasional moments.”