India is examining US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace that was initially part of his post-war governance plan in Gaza but was later positioned as a UN alternative to tackle global conflicts. A permanent membership on the board costs $1 billion, a US official had said.
“Our PM has welcomed the initiative that provides a pathway towards long-term and sustainable peace in the region, including Gaza…We are currently examining the proposal,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday, February 12.
Trump had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 19, within days of announcing the board as a Gaza peace plan on January 16. Israel is the latest country to join the board that critics say lacks Palestinian representation.
Jaiswal emphasised that India’s support for peace, stability and dialogue in West Asia.
In the same press briefing, the ministry spokesperson said India will take “appropriate action” regarding Trump’s alleged comment that he does not want to destroy PM Modi’s political career. Jaiswal said he has not seen the video. “If such a video exists, whether it is true or false, we will take appropriate action on it,” he said responding to a media query.
Asked about Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s ties with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Jaiswal said the matter had been addressed in the past.
Puri said he met Epstein only on “a few occasions” and denied any wrongdoing, stating they met professionally regarding International Peace Institute.
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However, email exchanges in the latest Epstein files released by Department of Justice show the two met several times including when Epstein was a convicted sex offender.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
