India is reviewing the United States' invitation to join President Donald Trump's Board of Peace for the Gaza Strip, according to the Foreign Ministry. New Delhi did not specify whether India would attend the first proposed meeting of the board, scheduled for February 19.
"As far as the Board of Peace is concerned, we have received an invitation from the US government to join the Board of Peace. We are currently considering this proposal and reviewing it," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing on Thursday.
Jaiswal reiterated that India has consistently supported efforts that promote peace, stability, and dialogue in West Asia but stopped short of committing to the US-led initiative.
"Our prime minister (Narendra Modi) has also welcomed all such initiatives that pave the way for long-term and lasting peace in the entire region, including Gaza. So, with regard to the invitation to join the Board of Peace, we are presently reviewing it," he said.
About Trump's Board of Peace
Last month, US President Trump launched the Board of Peace at Davos, outlining a US-backed effort to lock in peace, open crossings, demilitarise armed groups, and begin a long-term reconstruction and economic revival in Gaza. The launch followed the signing of the Board of Peace charter.
A UN Security Council resolution, adopted in mid-November, authorised the board and countries working with it to establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire began in October under a Trump plan on which Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas signed off.
Under Trump's Gaza plan, the board was meant to supervise Gaza's temporary governance. Trump thereafter said the board, with him as chair, would be expanded to tackle global conflicts.
According to media reports, the US has extended invitations to around 60 countries to join the boards, and around 27 nations, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, have agreed to join the initiative.
However, several Western democracies, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain, have opted not to take part.
The board will hold its first meeting on February 19 in Washington to discuss Gaza's reconstruction.
