Davos/New Delhi: India was among several major countries that did not participate on Thursday when US President Donald Trump unveiled his proposed “Board of Peace,” an initiative aimed at promoting lasting peace in Gaza and addressing wider global conflicts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the global leaders invited by Trump to join the new body, which was announced during a signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. However, India was not present at the event, and officials said New Delhi is yet to take a final call on whether to be part of the initiative.
France, the United Kingdom, China and Germany were also absent from the ceremony, along with several other influential nations. People familiar with the matter said India is examining multiple dimensions of the proposal, as it involves sensitive geopolitical and security considerations.
India has consistently advocated a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, supporting Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders. Officials indicated that this long-standing position is among the factors being weighed while evaluating Trump’s proposal.
Countries that formally joined the Board of Peace include Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. Several others, including Germany, Italy, Paraguay, Russia, Slovenia, Türkiye and Ukraine, have remained non-committal.
The United States is projecting the Board of Peace as a new international organisation designed to promote stability and governance in conflict-affected regions, particularly Gaza. The move has sparked speculation that the initiative could challenge the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution.
Initially, the proposed body was expected to oversee governance and coordinate funding for Gaza’s redevelopment following years of devastation caused by the Israeli military offensive. However, the charter of the Board of Peace describes it more broadly as an organisation seeking to restore lawful governance and secure enduring peace in regions threatened by conflict.
According to the charter, the top tier of the Board of Peace will consist exclusively of heads of state, operating under Trump’s leadership. Washington has said the body will play a key role in implementing Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which focuses on deradicalisation, security, redevelopment and ensuring the territory does not pose a threat to its neighbours.
The White House has already announced the formation of a founding executive board to operationalise the initiative. Its members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Other members include Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan and US national security adviser Robert Gabriel.
This executive board will also oversee an administrative body named the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, as Washington moves ahead with shaping the new framework despite uncertainty over participation by several key global players.
