India's Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Kirti Vardhan Singh, represented the nation at the landmark Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt on October 13, 2025, as per a Ministry of External Affairs statement. Acting as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special envoy, Singh attended the high-profile gathering co-hosted by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, which drew over 20 world leaders to formalize the Gaza ceasefire and outline regional reconstruction.
The summit followed the successful release of all remaining living Israeli hostages by Hamas and Israel's reciprocal release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, marking the first phase of Trump's ambitious Gaza peace plan. Trump, addressing the assembly, declared the war in Gaza officially over after two years of devastating conflict that claimed over 67,000 lives. He highlighted the influx of humanitarian aid—hundreds of truckloads of food, medical supplies, and essentials funded by summit participants—and emphasized rebuilding efforts, stating, "A new and beautiful day is rising and now the rebuilding begins." Trump extended gratitude to mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their pivotal roles in the breakthrough.
India reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to Middle East peace through dialogue and diplomacy, explicitly endorsing Trump's Gaza plan and praising the contributions of Egypt and Qatar. The MEA statement aligned this support with India's longstanding advocacy for a negotiated two-state solution, pledging full backing for all initiatives toward enduring stability. Singh's presence underscored New Delhi's proactive engagement, especially after Modi received a last-minute invitation but deputed the minister to represent India amid a packed diplomatic calendar.
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On the sidelines, Singh held key bilateral meetings, including a notable encounter with Trump that symbolized strengthening Indo-US ties on global security issues. He also met Al-Sisi, where both leaders discussed deepening the strategic India-Egypt partnership. In an X post, Singh described the interaction: "It was a privilege to meet with His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt during the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt and India share a significant and vibrant strategic partnership. The Summit underscored the global commitment to peace and dialogue. India reaffirms its unwavering dedication to peace, stability, and enduring security within the Middle East." Al-Sisi, in translated remarks, thanked Trump, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while reiterating Egypt's push for a political horizon enabling the two-state solution.
India's participation elevates its role in multilateral forums, blending bilateral outreach with multilateral advocacy. As aid trucks roll into Gaza and families reunite, the summit cements a fragile yet hopeful framework, with phase two negotiations eyeing full Israeli withdrawal and Hamas disarmament. This convergence of leaders from diverse blocs—from Arab states to European powers—heralds a potential pivot from conflict to cooperation, with India's voice amplifying calls for inclusive, sustainable peace.
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