India Sends Kirti Vardan Singh to Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza Peace Summit as Modi Declines Invitation

Kirti Vardan Singh Represents India at Gaza Summit

India has appointed Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardan Singh as the country’s representative at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2025. The summit is being co-hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and US President Donald Trump, focusing on discussions surrounding the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered primarily by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar.

Officials confirmed to The Hindu that Mr. Singh departed for Cairo on Sunday and will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh for the summit.

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Modi Declines Invitation, Short Notice Cited

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the 20+ world leaders invited over the weekend. However, due to the short notice and prior commitments—including a meeting with US Special Envoy Sergio Gor in Delhi on Saturday—Modi declined the invitation.

Despite his absence, PM Modi is expected to engage with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty later this week during the India-Egypt Strategic Dialogue.

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India-Egypt Strategic Ties

The upcoming meeting forms part of the Sisi-Modi Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed in January 2023. This marks Abdelatty’s first visit to India since taking office in 2024, after four previous attempts were postponed due to Gaza-related developments and scheduling conflicts.

Egypt has maintained regular communication with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, particularly during Operation Sindoor in May, and condemned past terrorist attacks in India, including the Pahalgam incident.

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Gaza Reconstruction and Trade Corridor Discussions

Minister Abdelatty is expected to brief India on plans for Gaza reconstruction. While Egypt is not part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), officials indicate discussions may explore alternative route alignments via Sharm el-Sheikh, given security concerns at Israel’s Haifa port.