PM Modi gets invite from Trump, Sisi to attend Sharm-el Sheikh Gaza peace summit on Oct 13: Report
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly been invited by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to attend the “peace summit” in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday, October 13.
The last-minute invitation was given by the US and Egypt to Prime Minister Modi on Saturday, The Indian Express quoted its sources as saying.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has not yet confirmed Modi’s participation in the international summit aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
According to a statement from the Egyptian Presidential spokesperson, the summit will be jointly chaired by President Sisi and President Trump and will see participation from leaders of over 20 nations.
“The summit aims to end the war in the Gaza Strip, strengthen efforts to establish peace and stability in the Middle East, and open a new page of regional security and stability,” the statement said.
It also emphasised President Trump's "vision to achieve peace in the region and his relentless quest to end conflicts around the world."
If Prime Minister Modi accepts the invitation, it would mark a significant opportunity for India to engage more deeply in Middle East diplomacy, express solidarity with the Palestinian cause, and strengthen bilateral ties with Egypt, added the report.
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Chhattisgarh govt enforces austerity measures, restricts foreign travel and cuts convoy vehicles
Raipur (PTI): The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday rolled out a set of austerity measures, including restricted use of convoy vehicles for the chief minister, ministers and heads of state-run bodies, besides curbs on foreign travel at government expense.
The state has decided to implement the cost-saving steps with immediate effect to ensure efficient management of financial resources and discipline in public spending, said a directive issued by Finance Secretary Rohit Yadav.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The order said that only essential vehicles should be used in the convoys of the CM, ministers and office-bearers of corporations, boards and commissions, while ensuring restrained use of other government resources.
It also directed departments to take steps for a phased conversion of all official vehicles into electric vehicles in order to promote the use of EVs.
As part of fuel-saving measures, expenditure on petrol and diesel for government vehicles should be kept to a minimum, the directive said.
Vehicle pooling arrangements should also be implemented for officials of departments travelling to the same destination, it added.
The order further stated that foreign travel of government employees at state expenses will be completely prohibited except under extremely unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, prior approval of the CM will be mandatory.
To reduce administrative expenditure, departments have been instructed to hold physical meetings preferably only once a month and encourage virtual and online meetings. Regular departmental review meetings should compulsorily be conducted through video conferencing, it said.
The government also stressed the need for energy conservation in its offices, directing that all electrical equipment, including lights, fans, air-conditioners and computers, must be switched off after office hours.
The directive will remain effective till September 30 this year.
Amid the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, Modi has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of EVs, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
