Sushma Swaraj UNGA address LIVE updates: Speech to begin at 8 PM; will she blast Pakistan again over terrorism?

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to raise issues like the global fight against terrorism, climate change and the Security Council’s reform in her address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday night. (PTI photo)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to raise issues like the global fight against terrorism, climate change and the Security Council’s reform in her address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday night. When Swaraj, 65, takes the podium she would be addressing the UN General Assembly for the second consecutive time. She is expected to deliver her speech in Hindi like the last year. Swaraj, who arrived New York last Sunday, spent a major part of her day on Friday giving final touches to her speech, in which if there is any indication, based on her remarks at other multilateral forums and bilateral meetings, among other things is expected to include fight against terrorism, reform of the UNSC, climate change and an emerging India’s role and responsibilities in the 21st century.

Here are all the LIVE updates:-

5:59 PM: Swaraj is listed 7th in the list of speakers. On an average, a speaker addresses the general assembly for 10 minutes, but most of the time leaders take more time than that.

5:54 PM The General Assembly debate would begin at 6.30 pm (IST).

5:46 PM Sushma Swaraj is expected to address UNGA at around 8 PM (IST)

5:26 PM On Friday, Swaraj had only one bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during which she raised the issue of terrorism and H-1B. They also discussed strengthening of the US-India political and economic partnership.