PM Modi Likely to Address UNGA on September 26; Possible Meeting with Trump Amid Trade Dispute

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to New York next month to deliver a speech at the high-level session of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The session opens on September 9, with the General Debate scheduled from September 23 to 29.

According to the UN’s provisional list of speakers, India’s Head of Government is slated to address the Assembly on the morning of September 26. On the same day, leaders from China, Pakistan, Israel, and Bangladesh are also expected to speak.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his address on September 23 — his first from the UNGA podium since beginning his second term. However, the list remains provisional, and changes to the schedule are possible in the coming weeks.

Diplomatic sources suggest that Modi and Trump may hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA session. If it happens, the meeting will come against the backdrop of escalating trade tensions between India and the US.

Earlier this year, Modi visited Washington for talks with Trump, after which both leaders announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by autumn 2025. But progress stalled when Trump slapped a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil and weaponry — a move he claimed was helping finance the war in Ukraine. A second 25% levy is set to take effect on August 27.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has condemned the tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable,” vowing to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s “national interests and economic security.” New Delhi’s position has found backing from nations including Russia and China.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to New York next month to deliver a speech at the high-level session of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The session opens on September 9, with the General Debate scheduled from September 23 to 29.

According to the UN’s provisional list of speakers, India’s Head of Government is slated to address the Assembly on the morning of September 26. On the same day, leaders from China, Pakistan, Israel, and Bangladesh are also expected to speak.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his address on September 23 — his first from the UNGA podium since beginning his second term. However, the list remains provisional, and changes to the schedule are possible in the coming weeks.

Diplomatic sources suggest that Modi and Trump may hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA session. If it happens, the meeting will come against the backdrop of escalating trade tensions between India and the US.

Earlier this year, Modi visited Washington for talks with Trump, after which both leaders announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by autumn 2025. But progress stalled when Trump slapped a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil and weaponry — a move he claimed was helping finance the war in Ukraine. A second 25% levy is set to take effect on August 27.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has condemned the tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable,” vowing to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s “national interests and economic security.” New Delhi’s position has found backing from nations including Russia and China.