Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty on Friday emphasized that a lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue is essential for the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, as well as for the success of major regional projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Speaking at the conclusion of his visit to New Delhi for the first India-Egypt Strategic Dialogue, Abdelatty highlighted that peace and stability in the Middle East depend on addressing the core conflict — the Palestinian question. He noted that while the Gaza peace plan has brought a fragile ceasefire and some progress, sustainable regional cooperation, including connectivity projects like IMEC, cannot succeed without a final settlement ensuring Palestinian statehood.
“You Cannot Replace a Final Settlement with Normalisation”
Abdelatty was clear that attempts to normalize Israel’s ties with Arab nations without resolving the Palestinian conflict are futile.
“Everything about normalisation and connectivity stopped for a single reason. You cannot talk about normalisation without solving the core of the conflict in the region, which is the Palestinian question,” he said, referring to the hostilities that erupted after Hamas’s attacks in October 2023.
He warned that even if Israel achieved full diplomatic normalization with Arab and Muslim countries, it would not lead to peace or stability in the region.
“The only way to bring peace and stability is to give the Palestinians their right to have their own independent state,” he asserted, adding that any lasting solution must include both Gaza and the West Bankas integral parts of that state.
Egypt’s Role in the Gaza Peace Plan
Egypt played a central role in mediating the US-backed Gaza peace plan, which led to a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Abdelatty described this plan as the “only game in town” and said that Egypt views India and the US as critical partners in ensuring the agreement’s full implementation.
He explained that Egypt’s strategy focuses on sustaining the peace deal through international oversight, particularly via the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which is expected to pass a resolution legitimizing the creation of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
According to Abdelatty, the ISF’s mission will be defined by this resolution, and there has already been consensus on forming a 15-member Palestinian administrative committee to manage day-to-day governance in Gaza and the West Bank during the transition period.
“This committee will oversee basic services until we empower the Palestinian Authority to be redeployed,” he said.
IMEC and the Need for a Peaceful Environment
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) — a flagship initiative launched during India’s G20 presidency in 2023 — has faced delays due to the Gaza conflict. Egypt, with its strategic geographic location connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe, has expressed keen interest in participating in IMEC.
Abdelatty acknowledged the corridor’s potential to transform regional trade and connectivity but warned that the current instability threatens its viability.
“We discussed IMEC with our Indian friends and are in favour of all connectivity projects because Egypt is a hub,” he said. “But we have to bear in mind that connectivity is very important as part of a final settlement of the Palestinian cause.”
He stressed that such ambitious projects require a “conducive environment” — one rooted in political stability, regional cooperation, and mutual trust — all of which depend on resolving the Palestinian issue.
India’s Role and the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit
Abdelatty noted that Egypt sees India as a key regional and global player that can contribute meaningfully to the Gaza peace process.
“The role of India is important and we extended the invitation [for the peace summit]. And we will continue our efforts,” he said.
Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not attend the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit earlier this week, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh represented India at the event. The summit, co-sponsored by the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye, produced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and laid the groundwork for the next phases of the peace plan.
Abdelatty further remarked that Egypt views the US and President Donald Trump as the “only guarantee” for ensuring the plan’s implementation. Israel and Hamas, he said, are now in the final stages of executing the first phase of the agreement, which involves consolidating the ceasefire and preparing for governance transition in Gaza.
Egypt’s Diplomatic Vision: Peace, Stability, and Connectivity
Throughout his remarks, Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s dual priorities: achieving a comprehensive peace settlement in the region and promoting economic connectivity through projects like IMEC. Cairo, which controls the Suez Canal — one of the world’s most important trade arteries, sees itself as a natural logistics and transit hub linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
However, Abdelatty warned that without political stability, even the most ambitious economic projects cannot thrive.
“We are open to joining any connectivity projects, but peace is the foundation. Connectivity without peace is not sustainable,” he said.
Conclusion
Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty’s statements in New Delhi reflect a broader diplomatic message: peace and economic prosperity in the Middle East are inseparable from justice for the Palestinians. While projects like IMEC promise to reshape global trade routes, Cairo insists that their success hinges on resolving the Palestinian question — the region’s most enduring and destabilizing conflict.
Egypt, alongside India and the US, aims to keep the diplomatic momentum alive, ensuring that peace efforts in Gaza translate into regional cooperation, security, and shared growth.
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