Watch | Sharif-Trump in animated exchange as Tharoor calls India sending Kirti Vardhan to Gaza Summit 'missed opportunity'

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s in conversation with US President Trump

India’s presence at the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit triggered political debate back home even as Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif was seen in an animated exchange with Donald Trump, a moment contrasted with what Shashi Tharoor described as India’s “missed opportunity” on the global stage.

As world leaders discussed post-conflict recovery and peace frameworks for Gaza, India’s relatively low-level participation -- sending only Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh --sparked debate at home over whether it reduced the country’s diplomatic visibility at a critical international forum.

A powerful moment at the #PeaceInGaza Summit!
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Donald Trump share a warm handshake. 🇵🇰🤝🇺🇸#Palestine #Gaza pic.twitter.com/HXN8eB6wdL

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

— Sidra Aslam🇵🇰 (@SidraAslamOff) October 13, 2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned New Delhi’s decision to send only Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to the high-profile summit, asking on X whether it reflected “strategic restraint or a missed opportunity.” He argued that “given the galaxy of grandees present, India’s choice could be seen as signalling a preference for strategic distance, which our statements don’t convey,” warning that India’s influence on Gaza reconstruction talks may be reduced because of “protocol access.”

India’s presence at the Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza peace summit, at the level of a Minister of State, stands in stark contrast to the heads of state gathered there. Strategic restraint or missed opportunity?

Related stories

• 
  Can Trump go to extremes to distract from the Epstein Files? Illinois governor weighs in
• 
  Trump says Democrats using Epstein hoax to deflect from US govt shutdown crisis
• 
  UK PM says BBC should 'correct errors' as Trump mulls lawsuit

This is no reflection on Kirti Vardhan Singh, whose competence is not in…

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 13, 2025

The summit in Egypt, co-hosted by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, was convened to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire and discuss long-term regional stability. One of the most widely circulated moments from the event was Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s lively conversation with Trump, which has been widely noted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza in a post on X, applauding the release of hostages and acknowledging the efforts of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. PM Modi wrote, "We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity. 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. We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region."

We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity. 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. We support President Trump’s sincere…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 13, 2025

The Sharm El-Sheikh gathering brought together major global players, including Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.