In September, the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will take place in New York. On the same day, three major South Asian leaders — Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — are scheduled to deliver their speeches. Analysts believe this sequence of speeches will highlight the sharp differences between India and Pakistan, especially over Kashmir, security, and regional peace.
UNGA’s 80th Session Schedule
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly will officially begin on 9 September 2025, but the high-level general debate will be held between 23 and 29 September. This year’s theme is:
“একসাথে ভালো: শান্তি, উন্নয়ন ও মানবাধিকারের পথে ৮০ বছর ও আরও বেশি।”
Translation: Better Together: 80 Years and Beyond on the Path to Peace, Development, and Human Rights.
Yunus, Modi, and Shehbaz on the Same Day
According to the preliminary schedule published by UN officials, three key leaders from South Asia will address the assembly on 26 September 2025.
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Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, will be the first to speak in the morning.
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He will be followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, who will also deliver his address in the morning session.
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Later in the afternoon, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan will take the stage.
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Strategic Opportunity for Pakistan
The timing of the speeches gives Pakistan a rare opportunity to respond directly to India. As Pakistani newspaper The Dawn reported, this sequence allows Islamabad to reply immediately to New Delhi’s statements.
Observers say:
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India is expected to focus mainly on sovereignty and national security issues.
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Pakistan, on the other hand, will likely highlight Kashmir and push for regional peace as its central agenda.
Differences Between India and Pakistan to be Highlighted
Analysts believe that the back-to-back speeches of Modi and Shehbaz will underline the contrasting positions of the two neighbours.
“ধারণা করা হচ্ছে, ভারত সার্বভৌমত্ব ও নিরাপত্তার বিষয়টিকে প্রাধান্য দেবে। আর পাকিস্তান সরাসরি প্রতিক্রিয়া জানিয়ে কাশ্মীর ও আঞ্চলিক শান্তিকে মূল ইস্যু করে তুলবে।”
Translation: It is assumed that India will give priority to sovereignty and security issues. Pakistan, however, will respond directly by making Kashmir and regional peace the main issues.
A Busy Diplomatic Season
This year’s UNGA is expected to be one of the most active diplomatic seasons in recent times. Multiple global conflicts and crises will dominate the discussions:
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The ongoing Israel-Gaza war
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The Russia-Ukraine conflict
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The aftermath of the India-Pakistan war in May 2025
Experts say Pakistan’s message is clear:
“পাকিস্তানের বার্তা স্পষ্ট— দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার উত্তেজনা উপেক্ষা করার সুযোগ নেই, আর টেকসই শান্তির চাবিকাঠি হলো কাশ্মীর।”
Translation: Pakistan’s message is clear — South Asia’s tensions cannot be ignored, and the key to lasting peace lies in Kashmir.
Source: TDC
