Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh has arrived in Cairo to represent India at the Gaza Peace Summit, scheduled to be held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday.
Sharing the update on X, the minister wrote: “Arrived in the historic city of Cairo as special representative of Prime Minister @narendramodi to attend the Gaza Peace Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh.”
The Egyptian Presidency confirmed that the summit aims to finalise an agreement to end the ongoing war in Gaza.
The meeting will be co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and US President Donald Trump. Leaders from over 20 nations are expected to attend the summit to push for peace and stability in the Middle East and to establish a new phase of regional security.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also participate in the summit. His office said in a statement, “The Secretary-General is travelling to Egypt to attend, on Monday, the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace. He is expected back at UN Headquarters on Wednesday.”
The summit comes as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has recently taken effect after several rounds of negotiations held in Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States played a key mediating role in facilitating the truce.
Under the first phase of the agreement, Israeli troops will withdraw from Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and the northern regions. The plan also includes opening five crossings for humanitarian aid and the release of hostages and prisoners.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the agreement, calling it a positive step.
On X, he wrote: “We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan. This is also a reflection of the strong leadership of PM Netanyahu. We hope the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace.”
A Hamas source said the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt is expected to reopen by the middle of next week to allow limited movement of people. Further details regarding operations are yet to be disclosed.