Modi to Skip UN General Assembly Amid Tariff Tensions With US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the UN General Assembly session in New York later this month, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar slated to address the world body in his place.

The decision comes as India-US trade ties face strain after President Donald Trump imposed a 25% additional tariff on Indian purchases of Russian oil, raising the overall levy to 50%. New Delhi has called the move “unjustified and unreasonable.”

A provisional speakers’ list had included both Modi and Trump among leaders scheduled to speak at the high-level General Debate from September 23 to 29. Brazil will open the 80th session, followed by the United States, with India scheduled to speak on September 27.

The debate takes place amid intensifying global crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.