New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has raised concern over the government’s decision to send a junior minister to the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, where over 20 heads of state, including US President Donald Trump, are meeting to seek an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“India’s presence at the Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza peace summit, represented only by a Minister of State, sharply contrasts with the heavyweight leaders attending. Is this strategic restraint or a missed diplomatic opportunity?” Tharoor questioned yesterday in a post on X.
Clarifying his stance, Tharoor stressed that his critique was not aimed at Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh’s capabilities but rather at the message India’s level of representation sends.
“With so many global leaders present, India’s choice may signal an undesired strategic distance, which doesn’t align with our public statements,” he noted.
Tharoor also voiced concerns about the diminished influence India might face at the summit, particularly on critical discussions around reconstruction and regional stability.
“Simply due to protocol and access, India’s voice risks carrying less weight than it deserves,” he said.
“In a rapidly evolving regional landscape, our relative absence is puzzling.”
The Gaza Peace Summit seeks to chart a durable path to peace amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, with the World Health Organization warning of “alarming levels” of malnutrition in Gaza.
As global leaders gather to address the conflict’s fallout, Tharoor’s remarks highlight growing debate over India’s diplomatic posture on a pivotal international stage.
