In a revised provisional list issued by the United Nations (UN), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will no longer address the General Debate at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. Originally slated to speak on September 26, PM Modi?s name has been replaced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is now expected to address the high-level debate on September 28.
This change was highlighted in a note signed by Under Secretary General for General Assembly and Conference Management, Movses Abelian, which stated that the revised list "reflects exchanges among Member States" and adjustments in the level of representation. The General Debate for the 79th UNGA session will take place from September 24 to 30.
Despite not speaking at the General Debate, PM Modi will still have a significant presence in New York later this month. He is set to address a mega community event at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island on September 22, where over 24,000 Indian-Americans are expected to attend. The event, titled 'Modi & US Progress Together', has garnered strong support from Indian diaspora organizations across the United States.
The Prime Minister will also participate in the UN?s landmark "Summit of the Future," convened on September 22 and 23 at the UN headquarters. The summit aims to foster a new international consensus on addressing global challenges, with key initiatives such as the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact on the agenda.
As the world's leaders gather, Brazil, as is tradition, will kick off the General Debate on September 24, followed by US President Joe Biden, who will deliver his final address of the current term. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also present his report before the start of the General Debate.
PM Modi?s address at the UNGA would have marked his first in-person attendance at the General Assembly since 2021, when he addressed the session during his historic third term. His last visit to the UN headquarters was in June 2022, where he led a Yoga Day event at the North Lawn. He had previously addressed a large Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden in 2014 and the ?Howdy Modi? event in Houston in 2019, alongside former US President Donald Trump.
PM Modi?s visit to the US also comes at a crucial time, with the country gearing up for the presidential elections in November. The contest is set to be a high-stakes race between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
