India's Diplomatic Choice: Shashi Tharoor Questions PM Modi's Absence at Critical Egypt Peace Summit

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed concern regarding India's diplomatic representation at the significant peace summit in Egypt. The decision to send junior External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh rather than Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised questions in diplomatic circles.

The Egypt peace summit is expected to host heads of state from approximately 20 countries, all gathering to discuss potential resolutions to the Gaza conflict. Notable attendees include Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas, US President Donald Trump (who has claimed credit for negotiating the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement), and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Despite receiving a formal invitation, Prime Minister Modi opted not to attend personally. Tharoor highlighted on social media platform X that this decision "stands in stark contrast" to the choices made by other world leaders who prioritized traveling to Egypt for the summit.

"Strategic restraint or missed opportunity?" Tharoor questioned publicly, expressing puzzlement over the absence of India's prime minister at a critical security summit taking place in India's extended neighborhood.

Tharoor clarified that his concern was not about Minister Singh's capabilities, stating, "This is no reflection on Kirti Vardhan Singh, whose competence is not in question." However, he emphasized that considering the "galaxy of grandees present," India's representation choice might signal "a preference for strategic distance our statements don't convey."

The Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the coastal resort city, will be co-chaired by President Sisi and US President Trump. The summit aims to develop a sustainable solution to the protracted Israel-Gaza conflict.

Earlier on the same day, Hamas released 20 hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The release occurred in two phases - seven individuals initially handed over to Red Cross representatives, followed by thirteen more. Simultaneously, Israel released Palestinian prisoners from a detention facility in the West Bank.

Tharoor's questioning of the Modi administration's decision has been interpreted by some observers as slightly contradictory to his recent positive remarks about the Prime Minister, which have caused tension within the Congress party and raised questions about his standing within the organization.

The relationship between Tharoor and the Congress party has been uncertain since 2021 when he joined the G-23 group of "dissenters" who questioned the leadership of the Gandhi family. Recently, this relationship has deteriorated further after Tharoor made favorable comments about Prime Minister Modi, particularly after being selected to brief "partner nations" on diplomatic initiatives including Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor.

Despite meeting with Rahul Gandhi to address these differences, no significant resolution appears to have been reached. In a recent interview with NDTV, Tharoor downplayed reports of friction, characterizing them as "differences of opinion... with only some elements of leadership."

When questioned about his current relationship with the Congress party, Tharoor emphasized his 16-year record of loyalty to both the party and its ideological foundations. He has also categorically denied rumors suggesting he might join the BJP, stating: "It is not a sign of my leaping to join the Prime Minister's party... as some people have been implying..." following his comments about PM Modi's "dynamism."