Despite invite, why PM Modi is likely skipping Gaza peace summit in Egypt

As world leaders gathered in Cairo to finalise the framework for the US-brokered Gaza peace plan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stayed away. Instead, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the high-level summit co-chaired by US and Egyptian Presidents Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Despite a personal invitation from El-Sisi, PM Modi's decision to skip has set off speculation about why he's not attending the gathering where over 20 world leaders will meet to finalise the framework of a peace deal and discuss Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.

THE PAKISTAN FACTOR

The April 22 Pahalgam attack, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists and claiming the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, along with India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, led to a sharp escalation of tensions between the two neighbours.

India, in response, also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed the Attari-Wagah checkpost, among other diplomatic measures against Pakistan.

At the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China last month, PM Modi, in the presence of his Pakistani counterpart, flagged "certain nations" backing terrorism.

PM Modi said India has suffered the "brunt of terrorism" for four decades and, following the Pahalgam attack, "it is natural to raise whether the open support of terrorism by some countries can be acceptable to us. We have to unanimously oppose terrorism in every form and colour. This is our duty towards humanity".

A video from the summit circulated on social media showing PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin walking past Sharif as top leaders lined up for a group photograph.

In July, Sharif had extended an olive branch for “meaningful talks” with India, but it went unheeded.

TRUMP FACTOR?

Just last month, Prime Minister Modi skipped a virtual meeting of Brics leaders convened by Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva to discuss trade disruptions caused by US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

India was represented by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Relations between India and the US soured after President Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India as punishment for continuing Russian oil purchases despite repeated warnings. India has urged the US to lift the levies, arguing that affordable energy is crucial for its 1.4 billion citizens.

The impasse remains despite recent talks between the two sides.

After Trump imposed the sanctions, PM Modi refused to take calls from the US President at least four times. But on his 75th birthday last month, the Prime Minister finally spoke with the President when he called to offer his wishes.

In recent days, the two leaders have engaged several times, including when PM Modi welcomed Trump's 20-point peace deal to end the war in Gaza.

While describing the deal as a "viable pathway to long term and sustainable peace, security and development" in the region, PM hoped that "all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace".

On October 9, the Prime Minister again dialled Trump, congratulating him on the success of the peace plan, while also reviewing the "good progress" in bilateral trade negotiations.

- Ends