Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this year, according to a revised provisional list of speakers released by the UN.
Instead, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to deliver India's speech during the General Debate on September 28.
Modi, who took office for a historic third term in June, is scheduled to visit New York later this month for several key engagements.
He will address a major community event at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island on September 22, where over 24,000 members of the Indian diaspora are expected to attend.
Additionally, Modi will participate in the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future,’ taking place at the UN headquarters on September 22 and 23.
The initial provisional list for the 79th UNGA session had listed Modi as a speaker on September 26. However, the updated list indicates that Jaishankar will represent India at the General Debate, which runs from September 24 to 30.
This change reflects adjustments in the level of representation and discussions among member states, as noted by Under Secretary General for General Assembly and Conference Management Movses Abelian.
The General Debate will commence with Brazil traditionally opening the session on September 24, followed by the United States. President Joe Biden is expected to deliver his final address before the November presidential elections.
Modi last spoke at the UNGA in September 2021. His upcoming visit will also see him address the Indian-American community in Long Island, a decade after his landmark speech at Madison Square Garden in 2014.
In 2019, he addressed the 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston alongside former President Donald Trump.
The 'Summit of the Future,' convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will focus on adopting the Pact for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The summit aims to build international consensus on improving current conditions and ensuring a sustainable future.
The Indian-American Community of USA (IACU) reported that 590 community organisations have signed up as ‘Welcome Partners’ for Modi’s event.
The strong response, particularly from the tri-state area, mirrors the significant engagement of Indian-Americans ahead of the US presidential elections, which will see a contest between Republican candidate Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Follow us
