Euphoria marked the occasion, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif created history in sycophancy through flattery. Prime Minister Narendra Modi rightly skipped the summit in the presence of the Pakistani Prime Minister to avoid any attempt by Trump to take a sudden initiative to arrange a meeting between the Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers in Egypt.

However, the presence of a senior Minister, instead of a Minister of State (MoS), in the Gaza peace summit would have been befitting to India’s global stature and its goodwill in West Asia.  

Wise Decision

In June, the Indian Prime Minister made a wise decision to decline an invitation to the White House, as there were strong chances that the US President would have brokered a meeting between the Field Marshall and Narendra Modi. 

He was taking yet another chance in Egypt, but the Indian leader is seasoned enough to understand the strategy. Being present at any peace summit being brokered by Trump is fraught with danger, as he may want to repeat the same show in the context of India and Pakistan.

The US's Impatience 

Most US presidents, having a fixed tenure of four years, have largely acted impatiently to achieve their goals, including encouraging alleged regime changes abroad. Trump is no exception, and, in some cases, the current President acts at a breakneck speed in his pursuit of greatness. He is often not thorough, and his announcements make headlines without concrete outcomes.

The Gaza peace deal, though well intended, runs the risk of being undermined by either side. The deal, nevertheless, was critical to get Israeli hostages released, but it may not result in a two-state solution. Trump’s credit lies in the fact that he could cajole Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal.

Under the mediation of Trump, Hamas released hostages, and Israel released prisoners. This was followed by a summit in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the Gaza Declaration was signed.

The Gaza Question

The conference discussed a ceasefire, hostage release, Gaza reconstruction, and long-term peace. The conference proposed running Gaza under a 'Board of Peace', headed by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

According to the World Bank, US$53 billion is needed for reconstruction. However, Israel has rejected the role of the Palestinian Authority.

Without the Palestinian Authority, no permanent solution can ever be expected, and the crisis will be protracted, which may continue to strengthen the position of the Israeli Prime Minister in the domestic context. Despite the deal, Hamas has refused to disarm, which undermines the ceasefire.

Israel, on its part, has not promised a full withdrawal from Gaza, leading to continued tensions. There is disagreement over who will administer Gaza and the need for US$53 billion for reconstruction. Urgent negotiations are needed on reconstruction, governance, and borders. And uninterrupted supplies of food, medicine, and fuel across all borders must be ensured.

India's Stance

India has taken a balanced approach to the crisis.

In July 2025, India stated in the UN Security Council that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was worrying, and that a ceasefire and hostage release would improve the situation. India supports a two-state solution and has been providing humanitarian assistance to Palestine.

However, taking a balanced position alone will not suffice, given India’s equity with both Israel and the Arab World. India’s support for the Palestinian cause is historic. India stood for the Palestinians even when many countries in the West did not come forward.

At the same time, India also developed wide-ranging ties with Israel, which were also based on goodwill. India is the only country where Jews have not been persecuted throughout history. Both India and Israel are vibrant democracies with civilisational connections, and business ties hold big potential beyond the current volume, including the possibilities of Indian investments in Israel.

Gamechanger Move

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor can be a game-changer.

Currently, however, India’s presence in the Arab World is recorded in pockets, with special focus on the Gulf. Even in West Asia, Saudi Arabia, the biggest state, needs special attention. India also needs to tap into the huge resources in Kuwait and offer them projects.

Iraq and Jordan need political attention.

The regime in Syria also needs to be engaged, building on the contact that the Ministry of External Affairs had established. Counter-terrorism and deradicalisation are the common meeting ground for all sides. 

North Africa, Egypt, and Morocco, besides Algeria, hold huge potential for Indian engagement in investment, defence, connectivity, and tourism sectors.

Importantly, India needs to play an important political role in the Israeli-Palestine conflict by nuancing its approach.

India is far too important and a key player, and has a wide-reaching role in what is essentially its extended neighbourhood. This is imperative to deny Pakistan a role in the region; that Islamabad has limited utility is a known fact.

India needs to position itself as the key Asian player.      

(Writer is a commentator on geopolitics. Views are personal.)