News Desk: India took part as an observer in the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on Gaza on Thursday (February 19). The country was represented by Namgya Choden Khampa, the Chargé d’Affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC.
According to the official attendee list released by the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, India attended the high-level gathering in an observer capacity, while 27 nations joined as full members. These included Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
President Trump opens the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC
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World leaders gather for US President Donald Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the… pic.twitter.com/eVB4tiB9zQ
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New Delhi had earlier skipped the Board’s launch event in Davos on January 22, saying it was still reviewing the proposal. Last week, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that India had received an invitation from the United States and was examining the initiative.
He reiterated that India consistently supports efforts aimed at promoting peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia and welcomes initiatives that could pave the way for a durable and sustainable resolution in Gaza.
During the meeting, Trump said member countries had committed USD 7 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction. He also announced an additional US pledge of USD 10 billion, though details of how the funds would be allocated were not specified. The US president reportedly stated that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait had expressed willingness to finance the proposed peace package.
“Every dollar spent is an investment in stability and the hope of a new and harmonious region,” Trump was quoted as saying, adding that the Board of Peace was demonstrating how a better future could be built.
Veteran Diplomat at the Helm
Namgya Choden Khampa, a 2000-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, currently serves as Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington, DC. In the absence of an ambassador, she heads the mission and manages key aspects of India-US diplomatic engagement.
Born on February 12, 1977, in Uttarakhand, Khampa holds Master’s and MPhil degrees in international relations. She previously served as India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, where she played a key role in strengthening bilateral ties and advancing development cooperation.
Her diplomatic career also includes a stint as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kathmandu, Nepal, and multiple assignments in India’s missions in China, underscoring her extensive experience in strategic diplomacy.
