External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to New York this month to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). However, it is still unclear whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the annual gathering.

Last month, India reached out to the UN headquarters to secure a speaking slot for the Prime Minister. Despite this, the foreign ministry has yet to confirm who will officially lead India’s delegation at the high-profile event.

Modi’s Schedule Not Finalized

According to sources cited by the Times of India, PM Modi’s schedule currently does not include the UNGA session. They added that his plans are unlikely to change unless there is a major breakthrough in India’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.

This uncertainty comes even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed last month that he had discussed the possibility of meeting PM Modi in person during the UNGA event.

Trump to Address UNGA for First Time in Second Term

In contrast, the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump will address the UNGA this month. This will be Trump’s first speech at the UN since beginning his second term in January.

His upcoming address is expected to focus heavily on his “America First” trade agenda. He is likely to defend the punitive tariff measures his administration has imposed, arguing they are necessary to protect US interests.

Trump’s Past Fiery Speeches at UNGA

During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump repeatedly used the UN stage to promote his combative foreign policy approach. His 2017 debut speech was particularly aggressive, when he warned he would “totally destroy North Korea” if it provoked the US. He also mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as “Rocket Man.”

In the same address, Trump criticized Iran’s leadership and called the nuclear deal with Tehran an “embarrassment.” His fiery tone set the stage for future UN appearances where he consistently reinforced his nationalist vision.

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