Modi backs Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, urges unity for lasting security, stability and development in West Asia

New Delhi (India) September 30: On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced a comprehensive plan to end the violence in Gaza. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed this news. He expressed his hope that all parties involved will support and unite behind President Trump's proposal. This is in order to bring about peace and stop the bloodshed.

Modi said, “We welcome President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. It provides a viable pathway to long term and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region. We hope that all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace,” in a post on social media platform X.

Trump outlines ceasefire, hostage swap, Gaza transition

The White House issued a 20-point paper on Monday that demanded a ceasefire immediately, the disarmament of Hamas, a staged Israeli departure from Gaza, the exchange of Palestinian captives held by Israel for hostages held by Hamas, and a transitional government headed by an international organization.

The idea was made public after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met earlier in the day in the Oval Office.

Trump claimed that they were extremely close to reaching an exclusive agreement. It issued a warning that if Hamas rejected the plan, Israel would have "full US support" to take action.

Mixed reactions from Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority

Netanyahu appraised Trump as an Israeli ally. But he also distanced himself from certain of the US leader's proposals, such as the demands for reforms from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority and the possibility of Palestinian statehood in the future.

According to news agency WAFA, the Palestinian Authority praised the President's efforts. They emphasized its will to cooperate with the US and its allies. This is in order to establish a comprehensive agreement.

Global powers welcome plan and promise cooperation

Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt all applauded the plan. This is a way to put an end to the violence, reconstruct Gaza, and stop Israel from acquiring the West Bank. They also commended Trump's "leadership and sincere efforts.”

The joint statement said, ‘The ministries affirm their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and the parties towards finalizing the agreement and ensuring its implementation, in a manner that ensures peace, security, and stability for the peoples of the region." 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni state the proposal "could mark a turning point, enabling a permanent cessation of hostilities, the immediate release of all hostages, and full and secure humanitarian access".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that "all sides to come together and to work with the US administration to finalise this agreement and bring it into reality.”

The United States presented a 21-point Middle East peace proposal to end the nearly two-year-old conflict in Gaza before the UN General Assembly last week. It demanded a fresh conversation between Israel and the Palestinians for "peaceful coexistence," the return of all hostages, both dead and alive, and an end to Israeli aggression on Qatar.