India has sent Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy to represent the country at the Gaza Peace Summit taking place on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Singh shared on social media that he had arrived in Cairo as Modi’s special representative for the summit.
Why PM Modi skipped last-minute invite to Gaza summit
The decision to send Singh came after Prime Minister Modi received a last-minute invitation on Saturday from US President Donald Trump and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to attend the meeting.
PM Modi was one of over 20 world leaders invited by US President Donald Trump and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to attend the Gaza Peace Summit, which the two leaders will jointly host on Monday in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.
Citing sources, a report by The Indian Express said that the government decided to delegate the visit to Singh instead of Modi, mainly because Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also expected to attend.
Officials in New Delhi reportedly wanted to avoid any uncertain diplomatic moments that might come up with both Trump and Sharif present at the same event. Though many had expected Modi to personally attend the summit and possibly meet Trump in Egypt, the government chose a careful and measured approach this time.
Who all are attending the summit?
The summit, scheduled for Monday afternoon, will be co-chaired by President al-Sisi and President Trump. Leaders from more than 20 countries are expected to participate, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
According to Egypt’s Presidential office, the main goal of the meeting is to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, promote lasting peace and stability across the Middle East, and begin a new chapter of regional cooperation. The summit is also being seen as part of Trump’s wider effort to push his peace plan for the region and to reduce global tensions.
A strategic opportunity for India
Trump travelled to Israel and Egypt on Sunday to mark the US-brokered ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. He is expected to encourage regional leaders to use this moment to build lasting peace.
For India, taking part in the summit provides a chance to show its active presence in the Middle East, express continued support for the Palestinian cause, and strengthen ties with Egypt.
After the ceasefire and hostage deal was announced on October 9, Prime Minister Modi had spoken with Trump and praised him for achieving what he called a major step forward for peace in Gaza.
The agreement resulted from indirect negotiations held in Egypt, which were part of Trump’s 20-point peace framework for the Palestinian territory. The discussions came just a day after the second anniversary of Hamas’s cross-border assault that had triggered Israel’s military operations in Gaza.