External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to address the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday (local time), stepping in as India’s primary speaker at the high-level General Debate.
Jaishankar’s address, scheduled for September 27 in the morning session of the high-level debate, comes as UNGA80, under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights”, marks the organisation’s 80th anniversary amid a world grappling with conflicts, climate crises, and economic volatility.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also scheduled to deliver his address during the same session ahead of Jaishankar. Theexternal affairs minister (EAM), since his arrival in New York, has been holding several multilateral and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA.
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Strengthening India-US relations
The EAM first met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday (local time) and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening India-US ties and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region through the Quad. Rubio also expressed his gratitude to India for its ongoing involvement in various matters, including trade, energy, and critical minerals. He also met US Ambassador to India-designate Sergio Gor on the sidelines of the UNGA, where both leaders expressed their commitment to further promoting the success of the bilateral relationship between India and the United States.
Jaishankar also participated in a special informal meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers, hosted by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, which included ministers from Brazil and Mexico. The talks focused on critical global issues, including multilateralism, the India-EU partnership, the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza situation, energy, and trade.
He further hosted a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries, focusing on enhancing collaboration, solidarity, and multilateral engagement among developing nations.
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Push for UN reforms
Jaishankar later hosted the second edition of the L69 and C10 Joint Ministerial in New York, highlighting the collective resolve of the Global South to push for reforms at the United Nations Security Council.
On Thursday (local time), the EAM joined his counterparts from Japan, Germany and Brazil at the G4 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the sidelines of UNGA80. The group reiterated its strong commitment to reforming the United Nations.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated that the Foreign Ministers discussed the expansion of the Security Council and assessed the ongoing Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) process.
BRICS and bilateral engagements
On Friday (local time), the EAM hosted a meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers, highlighting the bloc’s pivotal role in promoting multilateralism and constructive international engagement.
Earlier, he also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed bilateral relations and the development of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. “Good conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia on the sidelines of #UNGA80. Useful discussion on bilateral ties, the Ukraine conflict and developments in the Middle East,” the EAM stated in a post on X.
