Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the annual high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday, citing a provisional list of speakers issued by the UN. US President Donald Trump is set to address the session, his first in his second term holding the post.
PM Modi's expected visit to New York would come after the imposition of Trump's reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports and heightened trade tensions between India and the US.
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.
According to the provisional speakers list, India's “Head of Government” is also scheduled to address the Assembly on the morning of September 26, PTI reported. On the same day, leaders from Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are also expected to speak.
In February this year, PM Modi travelled to the US for a bilateral meeting with Trump in the White House. A joint statement was issued after the meeting in which Modi and Trump announced plans to negotiate the first part of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that would prove mutually beneficial by the fall of 2025.
{{/usCountry}}In February this year, PM Modi travelled to the US for a bilateral meeting with Trump in the White House. A joint statement was issued after the meeting in which Modi and Trump announced plans to negotiate the first part of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that would prove mutually beneficial by the fall of 2025.
{{/usCountry}}However, despite the ongoing trade negotiations with India, Trump imposed a 25 per cent additional Tariff on India for the purchase of Russian oil, making the overall imposed tariff, 50 per cent. India’s Ministry of External Affairs called this move unjustified and unreasonable. “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” it said.
Trump’s executive order imposing additional tariffs came at a time when a team from the US is scheduled to visit India from August 25 for the sixth round of negotiations for the proposed bilateral trade agreement. Both countries are looking to conclude the first phase of the pact by fall (October-November) this year.
The list of speakers from the 80th session of the UN General Assembly is still provisional and can possibly change with changes in schedules for the next few weeks.
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.