India, Oct. 9 -- India on Thursday welcomed the agreement on the first phase of a US-backed peace plan for Gaza, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising the efforts of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages.

Trump announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of the plan that includes a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners. This is part of the US-backed 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, and the development followed negotiations in Cairo involving US, Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials.

"We welcome the agreement on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan. This i...