India Sends MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh to Key Middle East Peace Summit
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt on Monday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipping the event despite receiving an invitation.
Key Summit Details
The high-level gathering, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and co-chaired by US President Donald Trump, aims to establish lasting peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East. The summit comes just days after the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan took effect with a ceasefire in the war-torn region.
International Participation
Nearly 20 world leaders are expected to attend, including:
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Historic Agreement Expected
Egypt’s foreign ministry indicated that a “document ending the war in the Gaza Strip” is likely to be signed during what it described as a “historic” gathering. The ministry stated this represents a step toward inaugurating “a new chapter of peace and security” while easing Palestinian suffering.
Ceasefire Implementation
The summit follows intense diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States that resulted in the current ceasefire. The first phase includes:
- Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Younis
- Opening of aid crossings
- Release of hostages and prisoners
Hamas is expected to release approximately 20 living hostages on Monday morning.
Conflict Background
The ongoing conflict began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks that killed about 1,200 Israelis. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 66,000 Palestinians have been killed. The World Health Organisation recently warned that malnutrition levels in Gaza have reached “alarming” proportions.
Public Response
A massive crowd gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square on Saturday to celebrate the ceasefire and express gratitude toward Trump for his mediation. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, called it “a powerful night,” crediting Trump’s “bold leadership and moral clarity” for achieving the truce and hostage release.
French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to arrive in Egypt on Monday to express his “full support” for the ceasefire and consult with global partners on next steps for peace implementation.
