Skipping the Gaza peace summit The Excelsior 18 Oct 2025
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/skipping-the-gaza-peace-summit/
Skipping the Gaza peace summit The Excelsior 18 Oct 2025
PM Modi skipped the Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh despite personal invitations from both hosts, US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This was considered by some as India missing a major opportunity on the global stage. Shashi Tharoor in a tweet termed it as ‘Strategic restraint or missed opportunity?’ He added, ‘India’s choice could be seen as signalling a preference for strategic distance, which our statements don’t convey.’
India was represented by minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who was irrelevant compared to the presence of global leaders, unofficially referred to as Trump’s fan club, which includes Pak PM Shehbaz Sharief. Simultaneously, India had welcomed the Gaza accord with PM Modi tweeting on it for days, praising both Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu. Hence it was expected he would attend.
Even Netanyahu was missing from the summit as was the Iranian president. They were both aware of what could unfold in such a gathering. Netanyahu claimed it was too close to the holidays to attend, though the reality is that he himself doubts whether the agreement would hold. Trump, a co-host, arrived two hours late, delayed in Tel Aviv while addressing the Israeli Knesset.
Apart from the Egyptian PM and Trump, the summit had leaders from UK, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar, amongst others. US, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar signed the agreement as guarantors. Neither Israel nor Hamas, the two main protagonists inked the agreement. The deal thus far only includes release of prisoners and hostages as also an end to the fighting. Nothing else.
Major issues including disarming of Hamas and pull back of Israel have still to be cleared. There are already cracks emerging in the deal. The agreement has been officially called ‘Trump Peace Agreement,’ to satisfy his ego and enhance his chances of gaining a Nobel award. It appears similar to the ceasefire agreed to in Oct last year and breached in Jan this year. Will this hold, despite major issues yet to be agreed upon, is questionable.
Trump, as expected, used the occasion to grab media limelight projecting himself as the global peacemaker, whereas peace is still afar. He termed the agreement as ‘the historic dawn of a new Middle East?’ In his second and final tenure, Trump, like most US Presidents, is desperate to leave behind a legacy. His address highlighted the number of wars he claims to have stopped, many of which remain fantasies. He forgets that his dream of obtaining a Nobel award is now a global joke.
Trump, keen to listen to praise and needing an ego boost, invited Pak PM Shehbaz Sharief to speak, mentioning ‘say what you said to me the other day,’ and Shehbaz, like an obedient child happily obliged. He, in his about five minutes address, termed Trump as a ‘man of peace’ and ‘most eligible candidate for the Nobel peace award’, even mentioning ‘I would like to salute you for your exemplary leadership.’ Trump, aware of what Shehbaz would mention mockingly responded, ‘Wow! I didn’t expect that. Let’s go home — there’s nothing more I have to say.’
Shehbaz was subsequently roasted in Pakistan. His words were termed as ‘nauseating’ and he was described as ‘an embarrassment for Pakistanis across the world.’ A Pakistani even tweeted, ‘Not sure about Trump, but if there is a Nobel Prize for bootlicking, Shahbaz Sharif is the biggest contender for it.’
At one stage Trump mentioned that his favourite field marshal is Asim Munir. He went on to add ‘I think Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together,’ and looked at Shehbaz and mentioned, ‘right.’ Sharief had no option but to nod his head like a trained pet.
This was not the end. Trump embarrassed most world leaders present individually when he addressed some of them from the stage, calling a few forward to shake hands, ignoring others. Many wondered just why did they come. After all, they were treated as extras on a set. Most world leaders who were present on the stage are facing flak at home for their presence as Trump’s fan club.
Had PM Modi been there, Trump would have attempted to get both, him and Shehbaz Sharief to shake hands on the stage while announcing he brought about peace. He had done the same with the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan some time ago. The absence of PM Modi as also the foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar, prevented India from being embarrassed on a global platform with Trump’s outrageous actions. Now it is Shehbaz Sharief who is facing the wrath from his own nation.
Trump had attempted a similar game when PM Modi was returning from the G7 where the two could not meet due to Trump having to return early. PM Modi in a tele conversation had categorically told him that Operation Sindoor ended with Pak requesting India for a ceasefire and not because of his involvement.
But this never stopped Trump, who invited Modi to halt in the US on his return which was rejected as the PM was visiting Croatia. That was the same time when Asim Munir was joining Trump for lunch at the White House. The Armenia-Azerbaijan incident could have been repeated, embarrassing Modi. Trump, despite being told off on a number of occasions continues to harp on resolving the conflict.
The Indian leadership has been reading Trump well. They are well aware of his idiosyncrasies, need for regular ego massaging, which his fan club has been doing, as also his desperation to be credited for stopping Operation Sindoor.
PM Modi’s presence could have led to him being embarrassed on the global stage as most world leaders were in Sharm el-Sheikh, either by being singled out, compelled to shake hands with Sharief or even asking to be credited for Operation Sindoor. This would have been exploited in forthcoming Bihar elections by the opposition. Ultimately the decision of PM Modi not attending was right.