 "Donald Trump and Modi. File image/Reuters")
US President Donald Trump has invited India to join a proposed international “Board of Peace” tasked with overseeing post-war governance and reconstruction in Gaza, according to multiple reports citing sources.
The invitation is part of Trump’s broader Gaza ceasefire initiative and a 20-point “Comprehensive Plan” aimed at stabilising the conflict-hit territory and managing its transition to long-term governance.
India’s role and regional standing
India’s inclusion is seen as significant given its longstanding ties with both Israel and Palestine. New Delhi maintains a strategic partnership with Israel while also providing consistent humanitarian assistance to Palestine. India was among the first countries to send aid to Gaza via Egypt after the conflict began.
Israel’s envoy to India, Reuven Azar, had earlier said in an interview that Pakistan would be unacceptable to Israel for any future role in Gaza.
Pakistan, however, has claimed that it has also received an invitation to join the proposed Board of Peace.
According to the White House, the Board of Peace will act as the central strategic body guiding Gaza’s post-war transition. Chaired by Trump himself, the board is expected to focus on governance capacity-building, regional engagement, reconstruction, investment mobilisation and large-scale funding.
Confirmed members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special negotiator Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, billionaire financier Marc Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga and senior National Security Council aide Robert Gabriel.
The White House has said the structure will include a main board chaired by Trump, a Palestinian committee of technocrats to govern Gaza, and a second “executive board” with a largely advisory role.
Global reactions remain cautious
The board, formed on January 15 as part of Trump’s peace plan, is also being viewed as a possible template for addressing other global conflicts. However, governments have responded cautiously to the initiative.
Only Hungary has publicly accepted the invitation so far, according to diplomats cited by Reuters. Invitations have reportedly been sent to around 60 countries, with many governments hesitant to comment openly amid concerns that the initiative could undermine the role of the United Nations.
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View AllThe White House said additional members would be announced in the coming weeks but did not specify the responsibilities of individual board members.
Gaza Executive Board and Israeli concerns
A separate 11-member “Gaza Executive Board” is expected to include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, UN Middle East peace coordinator Sigrid Kaag, UAE International Cooperation Minister Reem Al-Hashimy, Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay, and officials from Qatar and the UAE.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the composition of this board had not been coordinated with Israel and contradicted its policy, reportedly due to Turkey’s involvement and Israel’s strained relations with Qatar.