India is weighing a tempting but tricky invitation from Donald Trump on Gaza – one that promises influence, but comes with unanswered questions, geopolitical baggage, and risks New Delhi can’t ignore.
India is not in a hurry to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza, with experts pointing to a lack of clarity over the body’s mandate, structure and long-term implications. While Trump has formally invited New Delhi to be part of the initiative, the decision, Indian analysts say, goes far beyond a simple yes or no.
The Board of Peace, which Trump has projected as an elite global forum to bring lasting peace to Gaza, is being described by critics as a parallel power structure that could undermine the United Nations system, something that sits uneasily with India’s long-standing commitment to multilateralism.
On January 16, Trump announced the formation of the board in a social media post, saying, “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!”
A day earlier, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor shared on X a letter from Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to join the board. Gor wrote, “Honored to convey @POTUS invitation to Prime Minister @narendramodi to participate in the Board of Peace which will bring lasting peace to Gaza. The Board will support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity!”
In his letter dated January 16, Trump described the initiative as a “critically historic and magnificent effort to solidify peace” and a “bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict”.
Lack of Clarity Raises Red Flags
Former diplomat Veena Sikri said India is right to be cautious. “While the Board of Peace has been announced by President Trump, its exact contours are not clear,” she said.
Sikri, who served as India’s high commissioner to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2006, added that New Delhi will examine the proposal carefully as many aspects remain unanswered, including the board’s mandate, its executive structure and the role of related bodies such as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
International media reports, including by The New York Times, have noted that the board’s draft charter avoids explicit mention of Gaza and instead uses broad terms like “world peace”, raising speculation that it could expand to other conflicts and function as a US-led alternative to the UN Security Council.
“This Board of Peace has a much more ambitious scheme of things that Trump is right now after,” said Khinvraj Jangid, professor and director at the Jindal Center for Israel Studies, O P Jindal Global University.
“In fact, the document doesn’t say the word Gaza as such. This Board of Peace is under the guidance of Donald Trump that will advise and make all the interventions in many global conflicts,” he told PTI.
A ‘Pay-to-Enter’ Peace Club?
Reports by Bloomberg and The New York Times have also said that permanent membership of the Board of Peace could be tied to a mandatory contribution of at least $1 billion to a reconstruction fund, effectively turning peace-making into a pay-to-enter arrangement.
Experts warn this would make the process selective and fragmented, unlike the UN system where all stakeholders have a voice.
India’s Multilateral Balancing Act
For India, the proposal clashes with decades of foreign policy positioning. New Delhi has consistently defended the primacy of the United Nations, while pushing for reforms to reflect the realities of the Global South. Joining a US-dominated forum that appears to bypass the UN could weaken India’s credibility as a champion of multilateral order.
At the same time, staying away also carries risks. Opting out could mean ceding strategic space at a time when new global power platforms are being shaped.
The Gaza factor further complicates matters. India has supported a two-state solution and Palestinian rights, even as it has strengthened strategic and defence ties with Israel. Participation in a Trump-led initiative on Gaza would be closely scrutinised by the Global South and Arab nations.
Pakistan Angle Adds Another Layer
Reports suggest Pakistan has also been invited to join the Board of Peace and may even contribute troops to a proposed International Stabilisation Force in Gaza. India has ruled out sending its military to any non-UN mission.
Sharing a diplomatic platform with Pakistan could invite domestic political criticism, given India’s stated no-talks position with countries it accuses of sponsoring terrorism.
