Inside last-minute invite to Modi for Gaza peace meet in Sharm el-Sheikh

As the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh gears up to host the Gaza Peace Summit on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly received a last-minute invitation to the high-profile event, which will see the participation of world  leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

Though the Prime Minister’s Office is yet to confirm that Modi was invited to  the event, a report that appeared in The Indian Express, quoting unnamed   sources, said the last-minute invitation was given by the US and Egypt.

This comes just days after reports emerged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused the security cabinet meeting discussing the ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza to speak over the phone with Modi. India had welcomed the Gaza peace plan and hailed Netanyahu’s leadership. Modi also  noted that Netanyahu has always been a close friend and that their friendship will remain strong.  Israel will not participate in the summit, which will occur on the same day that the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza is expected to start. Hamas too won’t attend the event/

India has maintained a balanced stance in the conflict, with senior Palestinian  diplomat Abdullah Abu Shaweish appealing  to India to take the lead in rebuilding Gaza. He had stated that India's political influence and relationship with Israel make it uniquely positioned to help end Palestinian suffering. "If India doesn't play this role, who will?" he told NDTV.

India has historically supported the Palestinians, recognising Palestine in 1988, and has consistently reiterated this stance on international platforms. 

Middle East