UN Conference: Modi Will Not Attend, U.S. Will Send Foreign Minister Instead

Darwin, September 8 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not deliver a speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a revised preliminary list of speakers released on Friday, India will be represented by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.

This was reported by NDTV on Saturday.

It is widely speculated that Modi’s decision is linked to the ongoing tariff disputes with the United States. Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump also announced that he would not attend the Quad summit held in India.

The 80th session of the UN General Assembly begins on September 9, with the high-level general debate scheduled from September 23 to 29.

Following established protocol, Brazil will deliver the opening speech on the first day, followed by U.S. President Donald Trump. This will be Trump’s first address at the UN since beginning his second term in office.

In the initial speaker list published in July, Modi was scheduled to speak on September 26. However, the latest revised list shows that Jaishankar will speak on September 27.

Other heads of government scheduled to speak on September 26 include the leaders of Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Modi had visited the United States in February this year, where he met with President Trump in Washington. However, recent months have seen tensions arise in bilateral relations.

The Trump administration has imposed tariffs totaling 50% on Indian goods, including a 25% tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian fuel.

September remains the busiest diplomatic season at the UN headquarters as usual, but this year’s session takes place amid ongoing conflicts including the Israel-Hamas war and the Ukraine crisis.