India Sends Kirti Vardhan Singh to Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt
Kirti Vardhan Singh represents India at Sharm el-Sheikh talks.
India has stepped into the global spotlight by dispatching Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the high-profile Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, October 13, 2025. The last-minute invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi underscores India’s growing diplomatic clout in West Asia, as the summit aims to cement a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and chart a path toward lasting regional stability.
Singh announced his arrival on X, stating, “Arrived in the historic city of Cairo as special representative of Prime Minister @narendramodi to attend the Gaza Peace Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh.” The gathering, hosted in Egypt’s picturesque Red Sea resort city, brings together leaders from over 20 nations, including heavyweights like UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, and French President Emmanuel Macron. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attendance remains unconfirmed, while Hamas has opted out entirely, casting a shadow over the talks.
The summit follows a U.S.-brokered truce and hostage exchange agreement finalized last Friday through indirect negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The deal mandates Hamas to begin releasing its remaining hostages—starting Monday—in exchange for Israel freeing approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees. It also promises expanded humanitarian aid and eased restrictions for Gaza’s 2 million residents, who have endured a dire crisis since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023. That day, a Hamas-led attack killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken, triggering a war that has claimed over 67,000 lives, predominantly Palestinians, and sparked global outrage over the humanitarian toll.
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India’s participation signals its intent to play a meaningful role in West Asia’s evolving geopolitics. Modi’s decision to send Singh rather than attend personally reflects a calculated approach—balancing support for peace efforts with strategic restraint. Analysts suggest India aims to influence post-war reconstruction in Gaza, potentially leveraging its expertise in humanitarian aid and infrastructure development. With the summit poised to address not just Gaza’s immediate needs but also broader Middle East security, Singh’s presence positions India as a key player in shaping a new regional framework, amid delicate global dynamics and ongoing tensions.
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