India attends Trump's Board of Peace meeting as observer nation

By Admin

20 Feb, 2026

A Diplomatic Presence Without Formal Membership

India participated as an observer at the recent meeting of the Board of Peace, an initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump for the redevelopment of the Gaza Strip. However, India has not formally joined the Board.

According to the official list of attendees at the meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, India was represented by Chargé d'affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, Namgya Khampa.

This participation reflects India’s continued diplomatic engagement on global peace initiatives, while maintaining a cautious and balanced approach.

What Is the Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace has been established under the second phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The initiative aims to:

• Support the redevelopment of Gaza
  
  

• Promote long-term peace in the region
  
  

• Potentially address other global conflicts
  
  

President Trump announced that the United States would commit $10 billion to the Board’s mission. The Board currently includes 27 member nations, such as:

• Argentina
  
  

• Armenia
  
  

• Azerbaijan
  
  

• Hungary
  
  

• Pakistan
  
  

• Saudi Arabia
  
  

• United Arab Emirates
  
  

While several countries have formally joined, India has chosen not to become a member at this stage.

Invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among numerous global leaders invited by President Trump to join the Board of Peace. The invitation underscores India’s growing stature on the global diplomatic stage.

However, India was also among the countries not present at the January 22 ceremony in Davos where President Trump formally unveiled the Board of Peace initiative.

India’s absence from the founding ceremony and its current observer status signal a strategic approach   engaging diplomatically while avoiding immediate formal alignment.

A Potential Rival to the United Nations?

The Board of Peace is widely perceived as a potential rival to the United Nations. President Trump has previously suggested that the Board “might” replace the UN, arguing that the organization has never fully lived up to its potential.

Such statements have sparked debate within diplomatic circles about:

• The future of multilateral institutions
  
  

• Shifts in global power structures
  
  

• The emergence of alternative international frameworks
  
  

India, a long-standing advocate for multilateralism and UN reform, appears to be carefully assessing the evolving geopolitical landscape before committing to any new global bloc.

India’s Strategic Diplomatic Position

India’s observer participation demonstrates:

• Commitment to global peace discussions
  
  

• Continued engagement with the United States
  
  

• Strategic neutrality in complex geopolitical matters
  
  

By attending the meeting without formally joining, India signals that it is open to dialogue while maintaining diplomatic flexibility.

In an increasingly polarized global environment, India’s approach reflects calculated diplomacy   engaging where necessary, observing developments closely, and preserving strategic autonomy.

Conclusion

India’s presence at President Trump’s Board of Peace meeting as an observer nation marks a significant diplomatic move. While not formally joining the initiative aimed at redeveloping Gaza, India continues to maintain active engagement in global peace discussions.

As the Board of Peace evolves   and as questions arise about its relationship with the United Nations   India’s next steps will likely be guided by its long-standing principles of multilateral cooperation, strategic independence, and balanced global engagement.