India attended the first meeting of the newly formed “Board of Peace” in Washington DC, on February 19, 2026. But it did so in the capacity of an observer nation rather than as a full member. The meeting was convened by U.S. President Donald Trump at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace and focused on plans for rebuilding the Gaza Strip and promoting stability after years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Also, India’s representative was Namgya C. Khampa, deputy chief of mission at the Indian embassy in Washington.
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The board of peace is a new international body proposed by Trump as part of his comprehensive peace plan for Gaza. It aims to rebuild war-torn areas and establish long-term peace in the region. According to the reports, around 27 countries have formally joined the board as members, including nations such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Hungary, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates. Beyond the member countries, various other countries, including India, Italy, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, attended the meeting as observers, along with the European Union. Around 40+ nations have participated in the gathering at the Washington event.
During the meeting, President Trump announced that the United States will commit USD 10 billion towards the board of peace’s reconstruction efforts for Gaza, a figure more than the USD 7 billion pledged collectively by nine other countries at the meeting. However, Trump didn’t clarify how the U.S. funds would be sourced. The total amount for reconstruction for Gaza is estimated by international bodies to be much higher, possibly up to USD 70 billion.
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India has not yet decided whether to join the Board as a member formally. New Delhi is trying to balance its long-standing diplomatic position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, including support for a two-state solution and humanitarian assistance, with careful evaluation of the Board’s goal and its potential implications for global institutions such as the United Nations. India’s participation as an observer shows its interest in staying informed on international peace initiatives in West Asia.