Global powers weigh participation in new Gaza initiative
India was noticeably absent on Thursday when United States President Donald Trump officially unveiled his "Board of Peace" in Davos. The signing ceremony, hosted on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, saw the participation of several nations, but major global powers, including India, chose to skip the event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the world leaders invited by the US President to join this new body. The initiative was announced as part of the second phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to manage the situation in the Gaza Strip. However, sources indicate that New Delhi has not yet made a final decision regarding the invitation.
India Treads Carefully
Government insiders suggest that New Delhi is currently evaluating the proposal from various diplomatic angles. Since the initiative involves sensitive geopolitical issues, Indian officials are exercising caution. India has consistently supported a "two-state solution," advocating for Israel and Palestine to live peacefully side-by-side within recognized borders.
India was not alone in its absence. Leading nations such as France, the United Kingdom, China, and Germany also did not attend the signing ceremony. Conversely, countries that officially joined the Trump Board of Peace included Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Argentina, and Vietnam.
A New Global Body?
Washington projects the Trump Board of Peace as a vital international organization designed to ensure stability and lawful governance in Gaza. There is growing speculation that this body might eventually challenge the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution. The board’s charter emphasizes "common sense solutions" and a departure from past institutional failures.
Originally tasked with overseeing funding for Gaza's reconstruction after two years of conflict, the board’s scope has widened. It aims to transform Gaza into a deradicalized zone that poses no threat to its neighbors. The top tier of the board will consist exclusively of heads of state led by President Trump.
To operationalize this vision, the White House has formed an executive committee featuring prominent figures such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British PM Tony Blair, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. This committee will oversee the administrative efforts to transition Gaza from war to development.
