Prime Minister Modi to Skip UN General Assembly Session; EAM Jaishankar to Represent India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be attending the upcoming high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, according to a revised provisional list of speakers. India will instead be represented by a minister, expected to be External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 27. An earlier list had slated PM Modi to speak on September 26. Such changes in schedules for the high-level diplomatic week are not uncommon.
Unpacked:
Prime Minister Modi has attended several UNGA high-level sessions since becoming Prime Minister in 2014, but it is not unusual for him or other heads of government to occasionally skip such sessions, sending senior ministers in their place.
Leaders may skip the UNGA due to domestic commitments, scheduling conflicts, or to prioritize other international engagements. Sending a senior minister, like the External Affairs Minister, is a common diplomatic practice and does not signal a downgrade in engagement.
The External Affairs Minister delivers India's official statement during the General Debate, participates in bilateral meetings, and engages with multilateral forums to advance India's foreign policy priorities and international partnerships.
There is no evidence that occasional absences by India's Prime Minister at the UNGA have significantly affected India's global standing. India continues to play an active role in the UN and has hosted initiatives like the 'Voice of the Global South' summit to shape multilateral discussions.