Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the recent progress in peace efforts in Gaza, describing the indications of hostage releases as a “significant step forward.” He reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at achieving a durable and just peace in the region and praised US President Donald Trump’s leadership in advancing the peace process.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “We welcome President Trump’s leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress. Indications of the release of hostages mark a significant step forward. India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace.”Earlier on Saturday (local time), President Trump expressed gratitude to world leaders for their cooperation in efforts to end the ongoing crisis in West Asia. He said he looked forward to seeing the hostages reunited with their families, noting that the day marked “a very special and possibly unprecedented moment.”
“We were given a tremendous amount of help. Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end and in seeking peace in the Middle East, and we’re very close to achieving that,” Trump said in his concluding remarks.
His comments came shortly after a post on Truth Social, where he stated that based on a statement issued by Hamas, he believed the group was ready for a lasting peace. Trump urged Israel to immediately halt the bombing of Gaza to facilitate the safe release of hostages and said discussions were already underway to work out the details.
According to the sources in the middle east, Hamas confirmed on Friday that it had submitted its response to President Trump’s proposal for ending the Gaza war. The group expressed readiness to release all remaining hostages under the terms of the plan and to begin immediate negotiations with mediators. Reports also indicated that discussions would focus on the identities of approximately 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners and the bodies of slain Gazans to be exchanged for 48 hostages, of whom about 20 are believed to be alive.
Earlier this week, the White House unveiled a comprehensive peace plan following a meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposal envisions Gaza as a deradicalised, terror-free zone that poses no threat to its neighbours and is redeveloped for the benefit of its people.
The plan stipulates that, upon mutual agreement, hostilities will cease immediately. Israeli forces will withdraw to pre-agreed positions to facilitate the hostage release, with all military operations—including aerial and artillery strikes—suspended until conditions are met for a full, staged withdrawal.
India, reiterating its consistent stance on global peace and stability, emphasized through the Prime Minister’s message that it stands ready to support all constructive international efforts to end the conflict and bring lasting peace to the Middle East. (Source: ANI)
