India avoids formal entry, sends diplomat to Trump’s Gaza peace forum

India on Thursday participated as an observer country in the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s newly created Board of Peace on Gaza , signalling cautious diplomatic engagement without formally joining the initiative.

India was represented by Namgya Khampa, Chargé d’Affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC , at the meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. A Chargé d’Affaires is the senior diplomat who heads an embassy in the absence of an ambassador. The decision to send a senior diplomat, rather than a Cabinet minister or the external affairs minister, reflected New Delhi’s calibrated and cautious approach toward the US-led platform.

In contrast, several participating countries sent higher-ranking officials, including foreign ministers and special envoys appointed directly by their heads of government. Nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan were represented by senior political or diplomatic figures, underlining their formal membership in the Board.

India has not joined the Board of Peace, which has been set up to oversee the reconstruction and redevelopment of the Gaza Strip following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Trump announced that the United States would commit USD 10 billion to fund the Board’s activities. The body currently includes representatives from 27 countries , including Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the global leaders invited by Trump to become part of the Board when it was announced during the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Diplomatic sources said India opted for observer status to monitor discussions, assess the structure and objectives of the Board, and safeguard its long-standing position in support of a two-state solution and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians. As an observer, India does not have voting rights or decision-making authority but can participate in deliberations, offer views, and maintain engagement with key stakeholders.

India had skipped the January 22 launch ceremony in Davos where Trump unveiled the Board. Its participation this time is seen as an attempt to remain diplomatically present without endorsing an initiative that Trump has described as a possible alternative to the United Nations .

Trump has previously said the Board of Peace “might” replace the UN, arguing that the global body has failed to fulfill its mandate. This has raised concerns among several countries wary of weakening multilateral institutions.