PM Modi Congratulates Trump and Netanyahu on Historic Gaza Peace Plan While Advancing India-US Trade Negotiations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his congratulations to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump on the successful implementation of the Gaza peace plan proposed by the American leader, which aims to end a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.

In a social media post on X, PM Modi shared that he had spoken with President Trump about the historic Gaza peace plan and also discussed ongoing India-US trade negotiations, indicating that further developments would be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

"Spoke to my friend, President Trump and congratulated him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. Also reviewed the good progress achieved in trade negotiations. Agreed to stay in close touch over the coming weeks," the prime minister stated.

In a separate message, PM Modi revealed his conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying, "Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trump's Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world."

Earlier today, Israel confirmed that all parties have signed the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement. This development follows Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza announced last month, which aims to resolve the conflict that began with Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel.

President Trump is expected to visit Jerusalem on Sunday, with possible trips to Egypt and Gaza not ruled out.

Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian informed reporters, "The final draft of phase one was signed this morning in Egypt by all parties to release all the hostages. Now phase one stands very clear: all of our hostages, the living and the deceased, will be released 72 hours later, which will bring us to Monday."

The agreement stipulates that Israeli military forces will withdraw from Gaza and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Additionally, the deal includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the UN has declared a famine situation.

Trump's comprehensive plan also calls for Hamas disarmament and proposes that Gaza be governed by a transitional authority headed by the US president himself, though these aspects have yet to be addressed in current discussions.

Regarding India-US trade relations, PM Modi's announcement on the progress of bilateral trade negotiations follows recent statements by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who confirmed that both nations remain in continuous dialogue regarding the proposed trade agreement.

"We are in constant dialogue with the US (on the trade pact), and talks are on at various levels. We will give more information on this soon on how we are thinking to take it forward," Goyal stated in Doha on Tuesday, expressing optimism about meeting the November deadline for finalizing the deal.

Goyal emphasized that India's position in these negotiations prioritizes protecting the interests of farmers and the dairy sector, as it has done in previous trade agreements with the UK, the EFTA bloc, and Australia.

The United States continues to be India's largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion ($86.5 billion in exports). The US accounts for approximately 18 percent of India's total goods exports, 6.22 percent of imports, and 10.73 percent of the country's total merchandise trade.