India was represented by senior diplomat Namgya Choden Khampa at the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace in Washington on February 19, marking New Delhi’s cautious yet engaged approach to a major new global diplomatic initiative focused on Gaza.
Khampa, currently serving as Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, attended the meeting as India participated in the forum as an “observer.”
The high-level gathering saw participation from nearly 50 countries, with 27 nations joining as formal members of the Board and others, including India and the European Union, attending in observer capacity.
India Participates as Observer at Inaugural Board of Peace Meeting
The inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace was hosted in Washington, DC, at the US Institute of Peace. The initiative was formally launched by President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22.
India was not present at the Davos launch event. However, after receiving an invitation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on February 12 that the proposal was under consideration.
India’s participation as an observer on February 19 signals willingness to engage with the platform without committing to full membership at this stage.
Read also: Top Diplomatic Posts in 2026 to Be Led by 1992-94 Batch IFS Officers Amid Major Diplomatic Reshuffle
What Is Trump’s Board of Peace?
The Board of Peace was initially conceived as a multilateral mechanism to:
- Oversee the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza
- Support reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip
- Assist in governance and long-term stability of the territory
President Trump has since indicated that the body could expand its scope to address other global conflicts and potentially evolve into a multilateral institution that could rival the United Nations in influence.
Officials from nearly 50 countries attended the Washington meeting. Of these, 27 countries joined as formal members, including:
- Pakistan
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Jordan
- Egypt
- Turkey
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Hungary
- Morocco
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
Other participants, including India and the European Union, attended as observers.
Who Is Namgya Choden Khampa?
Early Life and Education
Born on February 12, 1977, in Uttarakhand, Namgya Choden Khampa is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 2000 batch.
She holds Master’s and MPhil degrees in International Relations and has built over two decades of diplomatic experience across bilateral and multilateral assignments.
Current Role in Washington
- As of February 2026, Khampa serves as:
- Chargé d’Affaires (Cd’A)
- Deputy Chief of Mission
- Head of Mission in the absence of an ambassador
In this capacity, she oversees key diplomatic engagements between India and the United States, including high-level political dialogue, economic cooperation, and strategic coordination.
Her representation at the Board of Peace meeting underscores the seniority of India’s diplomatic engagement with the initiative.
Diplomatic Career: Key Assignments
Two Stints in China
Khampa served twice at India’s diplomatic mission in China:
- 2002–2006
- 2013–2016
Her postings coincided with important phases in India–China relations, giving her experience in handling complex bilateral dynamics.
United Nations Posting in New York
From 2009 to 2013, Khampa served at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. During this period:
- She was elected to the United Nations Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) from 2011 to 2013
- She represented India on the Executive Boards of UNDP and UNFPA
Her tenure in New York strengthened India’s engagement in multilateral governance and UN budgetary oversight.
Deputy Chief of Mission in Nepal
Before her Kenya assignment, Khampa served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kathmandu, Nepal, managing bilateral ties during a sensitive phase in India–Nepal relations.
High Commissioner to Kenya and Ambassador to Somalia
Khampa later served as India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, where she worked to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and development partnerships between the two countries.
In 2023, while serving in Nairobi, she was concurrently accredited as India’s Ambassador to Somalia, with residence in Kenya’s capital. Her role involved enhancing India’s engagement in East Africa and supporting development cooperation initiatives.
Role in the Prime Minister’s Office and MEA
Between 2016 and 2018, Khampa served on deputation to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
From 2018 to 2020, she headed the Development Partnership Division at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. In this role, she oversaw:
- India’s grant assistance programs
- Development cooperation with neighbouring countries
- Strategic development partnerships
She has also handled relations with the United States, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar at different points in her career.
India’s Strategic Calculus on the Board
India’s absence at the Davos launch and subsequent observer participation reflect a calibrated diplomatic approach.
By sending its Chargé d’Affaires to the inaugural Washington meeting, India demonstrated:
- Openness to dialogue
- Support for stability in Gaza
- Strategic caution regarding formal membership
While New Delhi has not yet committed to joining as a full member, its participation suggests that it is carefully evaluating the evolving scope and mandate of the Board of Peace.
As President Trump expands the initiative’s ambitions beyond Gaza, India’s future role may depend on how the forum develops and aligns with India’s broader foreign policy priorities.
Read also: Who Is IFS Puneet Agrawal? Senior Diplomat Appointed as India’s Ambassador to Thailand
