India sends observer to Trump's Gaza Peace Board meet amid rising stakes

New Delhi: India has deputed an observer to the first Gaza Peace board meeting convened by US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday.

This comes as New Delhi has yet to take a final call on joining the board after an invitation from Trump recently, ET has learnt.

The Modi administration however assigned an observer as it feels that the meeting deliberations would be crucial, with major implications for India and its interests in West Asia.


Trump will chair the Board of Peace meeting and will make an announcement regarding the $5 billion pledged for Gaza by 20 member states attending the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week.

Addressing the media, Leavitt said the meeting will focus on maintaining security in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and militant outfit Hamas.

At the meeting, Trump is expected to announce reconstruction efforts and commit thousands of personnel for the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and local police to maintain security and peace for Gaza residents.

The Indian government has been examining Trump's invite to PM Narendra Modi to join the board. The issue figured during the recently concluded India-Arab League foreign ministers meeting in the national capital.

The issue is likely to be on the discussion agenda when Modi travels to Israel next week.

India has consistently advocated a two-state solution to end the Israel-Palestine conflict and has to consider how it engages with Palestine if it decides to join the Board.

India's biggest challenge will be the presence of Pakistan and Turkey in Board. Pakistan was earlier encouraged by the Trump administration to contribute its troops for the stabilisation force in Gaza.