PM skips Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Who does he not want to meet?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the Gaza peace summit in Egypt, instead sending Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh to represent India at the gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh. The summit, co-hosted by US President Donald Trump and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, will address rising tensions and efforts toward ceasing hostilities in Gaza.

Despite a direct invitation from President El-Sisi, Modi’s absence has sparked speculation about the reasons behind India’s decision. One prominent theory cites diplomatic sensitivity: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to participate, and New Delhi may wish to avoid a public platform alongside him amid heightened tensions. Relations between India and Pakistan have been particularly fraught following the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, blamed on Pakistani-backed militants. In response, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and taken measures including the closure of the Attari-Wagah border crossing.

Another key factor appears to be concern over optics. With Donald Trump serving as co-chair of the summit, India may be wary of the possibility that Trump will attempt to portray the event as a venue for resolving the India-Pakistan conflict. Avoiding Modi’s presence may help sidestep any photo-op or narrative that could overshadow India’s diplomatic stance. India today has increasingly sought to control its international messaging and may see direct involvement in the summit as opening the door to unwanted portrayals.

By sending Kirti Vardhan Singh, India ensures representation without exposing the Prime Minister to potential political or diplomatic pitfalls. The move signals a strategic balancing act: maintaining engagement in the peace process, while carefully managing bilateral tensions and preserving India’s diplomatic autonomy.