Varsen Aghabekian (PTI image)
Palestine’s foreign minister Varsen Aghabekian on Friday said that India would decide on joining the proposed Gaza “Board of Peace” in line with its own understanding of peace. She further stressed that any genuine effort to end the conflict should be welcomed.Speaking on the US-backed initiative announced by President Donald Trump, Aghabekian said, “India will decide in line with its understanding of peace, international law. Each country can decide on its own, and each country would look at its interests”. Aghabekian underlined that the participation in the proposed body should be guided by national priorities and respect for international norms.Welcoming diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza war, the Palestinian minister said that any attempt to forge peace was positive. At the same time, she cautioned against external pressure shaping global responses to the conflict. Commenting on Pakistan’s reported inclusion in the proposed body, Aghabekian said that Israel must stop dictating what is acceptable to the international community.She also flagged broader regional risks, observing that continued instability, including tensions between the United States and Iran, was a concern for all countries and had direct implications for Gaza and the wider West Asian region. The remarks come after Trump announced the formation of a “Board of Peace” to oversee post-war governance and reconstruction in Gaza, calling it a key step in the second phase of a US-backed plan to end the conflict. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the body as the “greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled”. According to the White House, the Board of Peace will function as a new international organisation and transitional governing authority for Gaza, focusing on governance reform, reconstruction, economic investment and long-term stability. India has been formally invited to join the proposed board. In a letter shared by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Trump said the initiative was part of a broader 20-point “Comprehensive Plan” to end the Gaza conflict, first announced in September last year and later endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2803 in November.New Delhi had received an invitation to join the initiative but has not officially accepted or rejected the offer.Alongside the Board of Peace, Washington has announced the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic body—the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza—which will manage day-to-day governance once the war ends. The committee is expected to operate under the supervision of the proposed board. The plan also includes deploying an international stabilisation force and training selected Palestinian police units.Confirmed members of the Board of Peace include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special negotiator Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, US financier Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga and senior US National Security Council aide Robert Gabriel.A separate Gaza Executive Board will support implementation on the ground, with participation from international diplomats and regional representatives, including from Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.Apart from India, countries such as Argentina, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Albania and Cyprus have been invited. Pakistan has also confirmed receiving an invitation, with its foreign office saying that Islamabad would continue supporting international efforts for peace and security in Gaza.According to a Bloomberg report, a draft charter of the Trump-led Board of Peace proposes that countries contribute $1 billion to secure long-term membership, with the US president retaining authority over membership and final decision-making.
