India Still Weighs Trump's 'Board of Peace' Invite; Some Nations Refuse, Others Join

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has pushed a new global initiative called 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 is happening with Trump’s peace initiative?

So far, about 50-60 countries have been asked to join. Roughly a third of them have agreed to take part. These include several Middle Eastern states, Central Asian nations, and others such as Argentina and Vietnam. But a number of major Western countries have either said "no" or are still thinking it over.

Will India say yes or no?

India is not hurrying to accept the invitation by the US President Donald Trump to join the "Board of Peace".

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 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.

Which countries have refused Trump’s offer?

Some European nations have publicly declined the invitation. France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Slovenia have all said they will not participate in the "Board of Peace". 

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed the decision to reporters in Davos on Wednesday.

Other countries such as Britain, China, Russia and several EU members have not yet taken a public position.

Who is joining so far?

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Pakistan and the UAE are among those that have said they will take part in the initiative. 

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministers of the State of Qatar, the Republic of Turkiye, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they would be joining the Trump-led board.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also accepted the invitation, overturning earlier objections. 

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.

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.