New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 30 welcomed US president Donald Trump’s announcement of a plan to end the war in Gaza, calling it a “viable pathway” to lasting peace in West Asia.In a post on X, Modi said the initiative “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.” He added that India hoped “all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace”.Modi first tweeted in three languages – English, Hebrew and Arabic, reflecting those spoken in the conflict region. Later in the day, his account carried the same message in Russian, Spanish, Chinese and French, an unusual step since these are not regional tongues but part of the UN’s official languages.Trump unveiled the 21-point proposal at the White House on September 29 alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it “a comprehensive path to peace” that could bring “peace and prosperity for the entire region.” He urged Palestinians to “take responsibility for their destiny.” Netanyahu said Israel would “retain security responsibility” in Gaza and warned that if Hamas rejected the plan, Israel would “finish the job…the easy way or the hard way.”The plan provides for a transitional administration in Gaza excluding Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, with the United States in a supervisory role. Reuters reported that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been discussed as a possible member of the interim body.It pledges reconstruction and humanitarian aid, guarantees no displacement of Gazans, and rules out annexation of the West Bank Hamas would be required to disarm, while Israel would maintain a security perimeter around Gaza. The New York Times reported that all Israeli hostages would be freed in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas fighters would be offered safe passage abroad, though no receiving countries were named.Repeated praise for Sharif, Gen. MunirAt the press conference, Trump repeatedly praised Pakistan’s role in supporting the deal. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir were “incredible people,” had been “with us right from the beginning” and would “back this 100%.” Dawn and India Today noted that he mentioned them more than once.The Pakistan prime minister had been one of the first leaders to welcome the plan, posting about it on his X account late on September 29. “I laud President Trump’s leadership and the vital role played by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in bringing an end to this war,” he wrote. Sharif had met with Trump in White House last week – the first time that a Pakistan PM had a sit-down meeting with the US President in six years. He had also met with Trump as part of a cohort of Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.The proposal drew swift reactions in Europe. German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said it was a “unique opportunity” for people in Gaza enduring “unimaginable humanitarian distress.” French president Emmanuel Macron said Hamas had “no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan”, adding that peace must rest on a two-state solution.British prime minister Keir Starmer urged “all sides to come together” with Washington and pressed Hamas to lay down its arms. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said the humanitarian crisis was an “utterly unjustifiable tragedy” and urged acceptance of the deal. European Council president Antonio Costa welcomed Netanyahu’s positive response and stressed that “hostilities must end, and all hostages must be released immediately.”From the region, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar and Egypt issued a joint statement praising Trump’s “leadership and sincere efforts” and his pledges to rebuild Gaza and prevent displacement. But they also said Gaza must be fully integrated with the West Bank in a Palestinian state under international law.The Palestinian Authority welcomed Trump’s “sincere and determined efforts” and reiterated its commitment to work on a two-state solution.Qatar and Egypt have presented the plan to Hamas negotiators, who are reviewing it “in good faith,” according to AP. A Hamas official told AFP that the group had not yet formally received the proposal.The White House event ended without questions from journalists. DW noted that significant issues remained unresolved, including how Hamas might be persuaded to comply, how demilitarisation would be enforced, and where Hamas members offered safe passage could be resettled.