India in No Rush to Join Trump's 'Board of Peace' on Gaza

New Delhi: India is not hurrying to accept the invitation received on Friday by the US President Donald Trump to join the "Board of Peace" that will help to bring lasting peace to Gaza and embark on a "bold new approach" to resolve "global conflict".

What has India said so far?

The Indian side on Sunday acknowledged receiving the invitation but has not formally responded. New Delhi’s long-standing position supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. 

The government is still studying the proposal and weighing its implications. 

What is the "Board of Peace"?

The initiative, which is led by the US President, aims to bring lasting peace in Gaza, support postwar governance, reconstruction and resolve global conflict. 

The US President has sent invitations to around 60 countries, such as Pakistan, Jordan, Hun­gary, Viet­nam, Rus­sia, Canada, Tur­key, Egypt and Albania. Trump has described the effort as a historic new approach to global peace. 

And once the board starts functioning, there are appre­hen­sions that it will extend to other con­flicts such as Ukraine and Venezuela, and mem­bers may have to end up tak­ing sides.

What did Trump say?

Last week, on January 16, in a social media post, Trump wrote, "It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed. The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

What was written in the letter to PM Modi?

In the letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said that the board will be con­vened in the near future. 

Last week, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor shared a letter sent by Donald Trump to PM Modi on X for inviting him to be a part of the "Board of Peace" that will work towards bringing lasting peace to Gaza and embark on a "bold new approach" to resolving "global conflict".

“Our effort will bring together a dis­tin­guished group of nations ready to build last­ing peace, an hon­our reserved for those pre­pared to lead by example,” Trump wrote in his let­ter.

Who all are on the board?

Trump would chair the board for life and would start by address­ing the Gaza con­flict and then expand to deal with other con­flicts.

Last week, the White House also announced the formation of an executive board, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British premier Tony Blair, US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and World Bank President Ajay Banga.