New Delhi/Washington/Cairo – India has confirmed that it will send a senior minister to represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the upcoming U.S.–Egypt–brokered Gaza peace signing ceremony, after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi personally invited Modi to attend. The high-profile event, set to take place in Washington D.C., is being hailed as a breakthrough in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Officials in New Delhi said that while Prime Minister Modi was unable to travel due to prior commitments, India will be represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, underscoring New Delhi’s support for peace efforts in the Middle East and its growing diplomatic engagement with both Washington and Cairo.
“The Prime Minister conveyed his deep appreciation to President Sisi for the invitation and reaffirmed India’s strong support for all efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region,” said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
The Gaza peace accord, facilitated jointly by the United States and Egypt, aims to formalize a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after months of bloodshed. The deal includes provisions for humanitarian reconstruction in Gaza, prisoner exchanges, and the establishment of a multinational mechanism to monitor the truce.
President Sisi personally reached out to several global leaders, including Modi, inviting them to witness what Egypt and the U.S. have described as a “turning point in Middle East diplomacy.” The ceremony is expected to be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Sisi, and senior officials from Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the European Union.
India’s participation reflects its strategic balancing act — maintaining strong ties with Israel while also advocating for Palestinian statehood and humanitarian relief. “India has always stood for peace, dialogue, and development in West Asia. Our presence at this historic event is a reaffirmation of that principle,” said an Indian diplomatic source.
New Delhi has previously supported the two-state solution and contributed humanitarian aid to Gaza through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). India also maintains long-standing defense and technology partnerships with Israel, making its role in the peace process both symbolic and strategic.
Observers say Jaishankar’s attendance could further strengthen India’s diplomatic visibility on the global stage, aligning with its image as a credible and neutral voice in conflict mediation. “India’s presence will be noted — it’s a signal that New Delhi is ready to play a constructive role in shaping post-conflict regional stability,” said a former ambassador.
As the world’s attention turns to Washington for the signing, the inclusion of an Indian representative underscores the country’s growing role in global peace diplomacy, bridging diverse partnerships across regions and ideologies.