WATCH: Jaishankar Opens And Closes UN Speech With 'Bharat', Calls India 'Vishwa Mitra'

Union external affairs minister S. Jaishankar's address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this evening began and concluded with references to "Bharat." He initiated his speech by greeting the assembly with "Namaste from Bharat," and as he concluded, he affirmed, "It is this blend of tradition and technology that currently defines India, which is Bharat."

His speech may rekindle the discussion about the Central government's contemplation of replacing "India" with "Bharat" in the Constitution, a move that had previously stirred significant controversy earlier this month.

Addressing the UN General Assembly from the renowned green podium, S. Jaishankar initiated his speech by offering a "Namaste from Bharat," with folded hands.

"We bring both tradition and technology equally confidently to the table. It is this fusion that today defines India, that is Bharat.," Jaishankar stated in his conclusion.

The debate surrounding "India" versus "Bharat" was sparked when the invitation for the G20 dinner was issued in the name of the President of 'Bharat' rather than India. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared a picture of the dinner invitation from the President on social media platform 'X,' formerly known as Twitter, along with lines from the national anthem.

Even the nameplate in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the opening of the G20 Summit displayed "Bharat."

Opposition parties contended that the government was resorting to "theatrics" merely because they had collectively named their bloc as "INDIA."

Earlier, Jaishankar had indirectly criticised the Opposition regarding the matter, noting, "India, that is Bharat, it is there in the Constitution. Please, I would invite everybody to read it."