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Modi May Head to New York for UNGA on Sept 26. Trump Speaks Sept 23. Trade and Tariffs in Focus for India-US Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the United States next month to take part in the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The high-level UNGA session will open on September 9, with the General Debate running from September 23 to 29.
According to a provisional speakers list, PM Modi is expected to deliver his speech on the morning of September 26. US President Donald Trump will speak on September 23, making his first address to the UNGA since returning to office.
Trade Tensions and Possible Talks
The visit comes at a tense time for India-US relations. Donald Trump recently placed high tariffs on Indian imports, including oil bought from Russia. The total duty now stands at 50 percent. India has called these measures unfair and said it will act to protect its economy.
There is a strong chance Modi and Trump will meet on the sidelines of the UNGA. Talks could focus on trade, especially the stalled negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement. Both sides had earlier agreed to finalise the first part of the deal by fall 2025.
A US team is expected in India later this month for another round of talks before the fall deadline. Any progress during Modi’s visit could help lower tensions and set a new direction for economic ties.
Global Issues on the UNGA Agenda
The UNGA session is happening at a sensitive moment for global politics. The conflicts of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East are likely to be high on the agenda. Narendra Modi has recently spoken to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A meeting with Zelensky in New York is also possible.
The schedule for the UNGA is not final and could change in the coming weeks. If the visit goes ahead, it will be Modi’s second trip to the US this year. He last met Trump in February, when both leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation across different sectors.
Diplomats see the New York visit as a key opportunity. It will allow Modi to present India’s global position, address economic disputes, and connect with other world leaders. A direct conversation with Trump could also help ease the trade row and push the Bilateral Trade Agreement closer to completion.