NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi was among the leaders of more than 20 countries who received an invitation from US President Donald Trump and Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for the Gaza peace summit that both leaders will co-chair on Monday in the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. According to official sources,MoS (MEA) Kirti V Singh will represent India at the summit as it wasn’t possible for PM Modi or EAM S Jaishankar to travel to Egypt on such short notice.

Modi has on several occasions lauded Trump’s Gaza plan

The invitation from the White House and Egyptian authorities was delivered on Saturday. PM Narendra Modi will host Mongolia President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa on Tuesday and Jaishankar has bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on Monday. Apart from Trump and El-Sisi, leaders of France, Germany, Turkey, the UK, Italy, Pakistan, Spain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and EU, among others, are expected to attend. Israel and Hamas are not participating in the talks that follow the successful mediation of the first phase agreement between them for a ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas and prisoners by Israel. Egypt has said the sumin the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and usher in a new phase of regional security & stability”. PM Modi has on several occasions lauded Trump’s Gaza peace plan, saying indications of the release of hostages represent a significant step forward in the ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic efforts. He also told Trump earlier India remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting all initiatives that contribute to a durable and just peace in the region. According to a Reuters report late on Sunday from Cairo, Trump is due to arrive in Israel on Monday to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, before traveling to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for a world leaders’ summit on ending the Gaza war.