India Endorses Trump’s 20-Point Plan as a ‘Viable Path’ to Gaza Peace

New Delhi: India on Tuesday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive 20-point proposal aimed at resolving the nearly two-year-old conflict between Israel and Hamas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly endorsed the initiative, stating it offers a "viable pathway" to long-term peace, security, and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as well as the wider West Asian region.

In a post on X, PM Modi urged all parties to support the US initiative. "We welcome President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. We hope that all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace," Modi wrote.

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1972862306993242208

The endorsement aligns with India’s consistent foreign policy stance, which calls for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a two-state solution.

Terms of the Trump Peace Plan
The 20-point plan, unveiled by President Trump in Washington after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, proposes an immediate end to the war if accepted by both sides. It hinges on acceptance by Hamas, the militant group that initiated the conflict with terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.

Key components of the wide-ranging proposal include:

Hostage and Prisoner Exchange: The plan mandates the return of all hostages held by Hamas, living or dead, within 72 hours of a ceasefire. In return, Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, along with 1,700 Gazans detained since the October 2023 attacks.

Hamas Disarmament and Amnesty: The proposal requires Hamas to relinquish its governing role in Gaza, dismantle its military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons facilities. Members who commit to "peaceful coexistence" and surrender arms would be granted amnesty or safe passage out of the Strip.

Transitional Governance and Reconstruction: The plan envisions the war-battered enclave, where offensives have killed over 66,000 people, being rebuilt as “New Gaza.” Governance would be temporarily handled by a "technocratic, apolitical" committee of international experts overseen by a "Board of Peace," potentially led by President Trump and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Security and Withdrawal: The initiative calls for a complete suspension of military operations, a freeze of battle lines, and a staged Israeli withdrawal. An “International Stabilisation Force” is proposed to be deployed in Gaza, with Israel committing not to occupy or annex the territory.

Humanitarian Aid: Full aid, consistent with levels mandated under a January 2025 accord, would be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip, with delivery proceeding through the UN and related agencies without interference.

While the plan has been cautiously welcomed by a number of international actors, its success ultimately rests on the agreement of Hamas, which has yet to provide a definitive response to the sweeping demands for demilitarization and relinquishing control of Gaza.