Modi Skips UN General Assembly Amid US Tariff Tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled from September 23 to 29, 2025, in New York. Instead, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India and deliver the country's address on September 27. This decision follows the imposition of significant tariffs by the United States on Indian imports, particularly targeting India's purchases of Russian oil amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

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The backdrop of Modi's absence is marked by escalating trade tensions between India and the United States. In August 2025, President Donald Trump imposed a total tariff of 50 percent on Indian goods, which includes a punitive 25 percent tariff specifically related to India's oil imports from Russia. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has condemned these tariffs as "unjustified and unreasonable," asserting that India will take necessary measures to protect its national interests and economic security.

PM Modi to Skip UN General Assembly Session Amid India-US Tariff StandoffHindustan TimesPM Modi to skip UNGA amid US Trade tensions; FM Jaishankar to represent IndiaModi to skip UNGA session WorldAmid Tariff Row, PM Modi To Skip UN Session, S Jaishankar To Represent IndiaPM Modi to skip UN general debate; S Jaishankar to speak for IndiaWIONIndia.com

The UNGA session will commence on September 9, with the high-level General Debate running from September 23 to 29. Brazil will traditionally open the debate, followed by the United States, with Trump scheduled to speak on September 23. Jaishankar's address on September 27 will occur alongside speeches from leaders of Israel, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, who are set to address the Assembly on September 26.

PM Modi Unlikely To Attend UN Session In US; India’s Address To Be Delivered By S Jaishankar: Report

Modi's decision to skip the UNGA is interpreted as a strategic move to avoid confrontation during a period of heightened tensions with the US. Observers suggest that this absence signals a desire to manage diplomatic relations discreetly rather than engage in potentially awkward discussions during the UN session. The absence also reflects the broader geopolitical context, where India is navigating its relationships with both the US and Russia.

PM Modi to skip general debate at UNGA special session, Jaishankar to represent India

While the Indian government has not directly commented on Modi's absence, the Ministry of External Affairs has expressed its stance on the tariffs imposed by the US. The ministry stated, "Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security." This sentiment underscores India's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the current trade dynamics.

PM Modi to Skip UN General Assembly Session Amid India-US Tariff Standoff

• “Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” — Indian Ministry of External Affairs

Hindustan Times

The 80th UNGA session is particularly significant as it coincides with pressing global issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and the war in Ukraine. The theme for this year’s session is "Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights." As the diplomatic calendar unfolds, all eyes will be on Jaishankar's address and how India positions itself amidst the ongoing tensions with the US and its broader international engagements.

New Indian Express