Ideology Construction through Ideological Warfare: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Imran Khan and Narendra Modi’s Speeches at UNGA

Political discourses can help in understanding political ideologies and agendas of people hidden beneath the surface level meaning of words. These ideologies, implicit and explicit, reveal political motives within contextual parameters and settings. This paper aims to identify the elements of commonality and difference in the speeches of Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan and his Indian counterpart, Mr. Narendra Modi at the 75th session of United Nations General Assembly and analyze their respective political ideologies and foreign policy narratives as portrayed through their choices of words in these speeches. Application of critical discourse analysis through significant theoretical frameworks reveal that ideological underpinnings in both the speeches are distinct and common agenda is rare despite imminent conflicting issues awaiting resolution. Their speeches are loaded with particular type of words and agendas that suit the narrative of their particular regional and international discourse. Critical discourse analysis of these speeches demonstrates a lack of convergent ideas creating challenges in resolution of issues faced by these neighboring states.