India participated as an observer at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace held in Washington DC on Thursday, the MEA spokesperson said today, declining to confirm whether New Delhi plans to formally join the Trump-led initiative.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, to repeated questions on whether India plans to formally join the Board of Peace, said:

“India attended the Board of Peace meeting held in Washington DC as an observer.

India has supported the Gaza Peace Plan initiative and the efforts underway due to UNSC resolution 2803.”

The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, a US-led initiative focused on Gaza’s reconstruction and security, was held in Washington DC. India was represented by Namgya C. Khampa, Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, DC.

India joined a group of countries, including Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, that opted for observer status.

The MEA had earlier said it was reviewing President Trump’s invitation to join the body.

Twenty-seven countries have formally joined the body including Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, and Pakistan.

Some nations have expressed concerns about the Board potentially undermining existing international institutions.

At the first meeting of the Board of Peace, President Trump said that nine member states had collectively pledged $7 billion toward a Gaza relief package, including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait.