PM Modi supports Trump’s efforts to bring peace after hostages freed from Gaza

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, expressing India’s support for President Trump’s peace efforts. The statement came ahead of a global peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where India endorsed a two-State solution

New Delhi: With all 20 remaining living hostages held by Hamas back in Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed their release after over two years of captivity and said India supports US President Donald Trump’s “sincere efforts” to bring peace to the region.

Modi’s remarks came hours before President Trump and several other global leaders attended a peace summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh represented PM Modi at the summit.

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India’s long-standing support for a “negotiated two-State solution” and that it will support all efforts towards a lasting peace in the region.

Earlier in the day, Hamas released the hostages as part of the first phase of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

“We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity,” Modi said on X. “Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he said. “We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region,” Modi added.

Trump addressed the Israeli parliament before travelling to Sharm el-Sheikh to attend the peace summit. It was co-hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

“India stands for peace in the Middle East and resolution of issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” the MEA said in a late-night statement. “We support the Gaza peace plan of President Trump and appreciate Egypt and Qatar for their valuable roles in achieving this and advancing the path to peace,” it said.

The MEA said the summit was aimed at strengthening efforts for regional peace and stability, in line with President Trump’s vision for lasting peace in the region. “This is also in line with India’s long-standing support for a negotiated two-State solution. India will support all efforts towards a lasting peace in the region,” it said.

Under the Gaza peace plan, Israel is releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees.

In his address to the Israeli parliament, Trump described the Gaza peace process as “the dawn of a new Middle East” and that a “beautiful and much brighter future” appears suddenly within the region’s reach. “After two harrowing years of darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families,” he said.

The ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on Friday.

Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli cities on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people. Hamas also took 251 people as hostages. Some of the hostages were released earlier.

Israeli military operations have killed over 66,000 Palestinians since then, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Gaza has been reeling under a massive humanitarian crisis largely due to the scarcity of food and medicines. The World Health Organization said last month that Gaza’s malnutrition rates have reached “alarming levels”.

Under the plan, Gaza will be a “deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours” and that it will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of the Strip.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif were among the leaders who attended the peace summit.