Setting the Stage
At the Gaza peace summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, US President Donald Trump took a moment during his address to praise India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while gesturing toward Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was standing behind him.
What He Said
Trump remarked, “India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top. He’s done a fantastic job.” Turning toward Shehbaz Sharif, he added, “I think Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together. He’s going to help make that happen, right?” He then invited Sharif to address the summit, pausing his own speech.
Sharif’s Remarks
When given the microphone, Shehbaz Sharif praised Trump’s role in preventing a potential war between India and Pakistan, calling him a “man of peace.” Sharif said Trump’s intervention helped avert a serious conflict between two nuclear-armed nations and even suggested that he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for his “extraordinary efforts” in promoting global stability.
India’s Role and Reaction
India was represented at the summit by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who attended as Prime Minister Modi’s envoy. Modi later welcomed the release of hostages from Hamas and expressed appreciation for Trump’s peace efforts, reiterating India’s support for the ceasefire and a peaceful two-state solution in the Middle East.
Analysis and Implications
Trump’s public praise of Modi while engaging Sharif reflects a calculated diplomatic balancing act — reaffirming strong ties with India while extending dialogue toward Pakistan. Sharif’s nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize amplifies the US leader’s narrative of being a global peace broker.
India’s decision to send a minister rather than the Prime Minister underscores a cautious diplomatic stance — maintaining presence in global discussions while avoiding entanglement in sensitive regional dynamics. The event further highlights India’s steady approach to global diplomacy, focusing on dialogue, stability, and balanced engagement with all key partners.
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