Sharm El-Sheikh: Amid the sun-kissed shores of Egypt’s Red Sea resort, a diplomatic drama unfolded at the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, where Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lavished praise on US President Donald Trump for averting an India-Pakistan war.
“The full credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan goes to President Trump,” Sharif declared on Monday, sharing a warm stage moment with the American leader that oozed camaraderie.
Co-hosted by Trump — who earlier addressed Israel’s Knesset, hailing PM Benjamin Netanyahu and warning Hamas — and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the summit drew over 20 global heavyweights to seal a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Attendees included Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the UK’s Keir Starmer, Spain’s Pedro Sanchez, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, EU Council President Antonio Costa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Canada’s Mark Carney, and Iraq’s Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Yet, India’s savvy diplomacy shone brighter. Invited personally by Trump and Sisi, PM Narendra Modi opted to send Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, sidestepping a potential awkward encounter with Sharif. From New Delhi, Modi hailed the truce: X: “We welcome the release of all hostages held captive for over two years — a testament to the courage of their families, President Trump’s tireless peace efforts, and PM Netanyahu’s resolve. India backs Trump’s sincere endeavours for regional stability.”
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sparked debate on X, questioning if this was “strategic restraint or a missed opportunity?” He noted that a ministerial presence amid such high-level talks might dilute India’s voice, especially as the region reshapes itself. Still, Modi’s calculated absence underscored New Delhi’s firm stance — engaging on peace without compromising on principles.
As banners proclaimed Sharm El-Sheikh the “City of Peace”, the summit mended Gaza wounds and mirrored India’s quiet diplomatic prowess.