The upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is set to draw global attention as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to address the high-level debate on September 26. It will mark a rare moment with both leaders sharing the stage at the same session, raising expectations of tense exchanges between Islamabad and New Delhi.
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For years, India has been represented at the UNGA debate by its foreign minister, but this time Modi himself will lead the Indian delegation, underscoring the importance New Delhi attaches to the forum. According to the UN’s provisional schedule, Pakistan’s address will immediately follow India’s, allowing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to directly respond to Modi’s stance.
Diplomatic sources revealed that Pakistan plans to highlight key issues such as Kashmir, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and broader regional peace. India is expected to exercise its Right of Reply, with Pakistan’s Saima Saleem prepared to deliver Islamabad’s rebuttal if required.
Shehbaz will be joined by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Advisor Tariq Fatemi in leading one of the strongest Pakistani delegations to the UN in recent years.
The session comes amid heightened global crises, including the Israel-Iran conflict over Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and intensifying Pakistan-India tensions. Sources also suggest that the United States may quietly attempt backdoor diplomacy between the two South Asian rivals on the sidelines of the UNGA, using the rare presence of both prime ministers at the same platform to encourage dialogue.
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The 80th UNGA session officially opens on September 9, with the general debate scheduled from September 23 to 29. Alongside the high-level addresses, the UN will host a climate-focused event on September 24 and a nuclear disarmament meeting on September 26, making the session one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings in recent years.
