External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to address the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), representing India in the high-level General Debate on Saturday. His address is scheduled for September 27 during the UNGA80, which focuses on “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.” This event occurs amidst global challenges like conflicts and economic instability. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also deliver his address during the same session. During his stay in New York, Jaishankar has engaged in several meetings. He met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deepen India-US relations and advance the Indo-Pacific region through the Quad. Rubio expressed appreciation for India’s involvement in areas like trade and energy. Jaishankar also met with US Ambassador to India-designate Sergio Gor to promote the India-US bilateral relationship. Furthermore, he participated in a meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers, hosted by Kaja Kallas, where discussions included multilateralism, the India-EU partnership, the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza situation, and trade. Jaishankar also led a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries, focused on collaboration among developing nations. He then hosted the L69 and C10 Joint Ministerial, advocating for reforms within the UN Security Council. Following this, Jaishankar hosted the Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), emphasizing India’s role as a development partner in the Pacific, including health, technology, and training. Jaishankar also joined his counterparts from Japan, Germany, and Brazil at the G4 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where they reaffirmed their commitment to reforming the United Nations. Discussions included the expansion of the Security Council and the Inter-Governmental Negotiation (IGN) process. Jaishankar also hosted a meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers, highlighting the group’s role in multilateralism. Prior to these engagements, he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss bilateral ties and developments in Ukraine and the Middle East.
