India on Thursday participated in the first meeting of US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace on Gaza as an "observer" nation, without becoming a member of the new body, which has been established by Trump for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
According to news agency PTI, India was represented at the meeting, which was held at the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace in Washington DC, by the Chargé d'affaires at the Indian Embassy Namgya Khampa.
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Trump has pledged $10 billion to the new "Board of Peace", saying that the United States would finance the new body to rebuild Gaza, which has been devastated by two years of war between Hamas and Israel. Trump will have veto power over the "Board of Peace" and can stay on as its head even after he leaves office, while nations seeking permanent membership instead of a two-year term will have to pay $1 billion.
Trump said that the US will contribute $10 billion to the Board, whose members include 27 nations like Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
PM Modi among world leaders invited
Among the world leaders invited by the US president to form the Board of Peace was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was during the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
India refused to attend the January 22 Davos meeting where Donald Trump introduced the Board of Peace. The Board of Peace was meant to bring peace to Gaza and other conflicts around the world.
The Board of Peace is considered a rival of the United Nations. According to Trump, the Board of Peace "might" replace the UN because the UN has never fulfilled its potential.
The executive board, finalised on January 17, consists of both diplomats and financiers. The list of members includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. The US has proposed an initial reconstruction package of $1 billion, which is strictly conditioned on security requirements.
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Over 40 countries confirm attendance
Over 40 countries, as well as the European Union, announced they would be represented at Thursday's gathering. Among the delegates was Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with leaders of other countries which have joined the board, reported The Indian Express.
Trump, who insisted he had prevented the conflict between India and Pakistan last year, boasted that he had threatened them with 200 per cent tariffs if they did not stop their fighting. India has denied Trump's involvement in the ceasefire, stating that the conflict ceased following direct talks between the two countries' DGMOs.
