Trade Dispute Sparks: PM Modi to Miss UNGA Session in New York

National News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to be held in New York later this month. In his absence, India will be represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. This move comes at a time when trade- and tariff-related disputes between India and the US are deepening.

Reason for tension between the US and India

The United States recently imposed an additional 25 percent duty on India for purchasing crude oil from Russia, taking the total import duty to 50 percent. US President Donald Trump has described it as a "necessary economic step," but India has termed it unfair and unacceptable. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying, "India will take every step necessary to protect its national economic security and strategic interests."

General Assembly program

The list of speakers released by the United Nations earlier included the names of both Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. According to tradition, the high-level session of the General Assembly will begin with Brazil's speech on September 23, and America will present its point immediately after that. India's turn is fixed on the morning of September 27. Now in this session, Foreign Minister Jaishankar will present the Indian stance in place of the Prime Minister.

PM Modi's recent visit to America

In February this year, Prime Minister Modi went to America, where he met President Trump at the White House. The two leaders had then agreed on the initial outline of the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The target was set that the first phase of this agreement would be implemented by the end of 2025. In the joint statement issued after the meeting, both the countries had talked about strengthening mutual trade. But the recent developments regarding tariffs have created a state of confusion in this direction.

Strategic and diplomatic importance

Experts believe that Prime Minister Modi's decision not to participate in the United Nations General Assembly this time may be a decision taken keeping in mind the current India-US tension and changing geopolitical equations. India wants to maintain its energy supply from Russia, while America is pressuring it to distance itself from Moscow.

Way forward

Now all eyes will be on which issues Jaishankar prioritizes in his address. It is expected that he will strongly put forward the main points of India's foreign policy—such as climate change, the role of the global south, international peace efforts, and economic justice—before the world.