New Delhi/Washington:
US President Donald Trump has formally invited India to join his proposed “Board of Peace” initiative, a new international mechanism aimed at resolving global conflicts, beginning with the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza.
The invitation was conveyed in a letter sent by Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was later shared publicly by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on social media.
Calling it a “critically historic and magnificent effort,” Trump said it would be his “great honour” to have India participate in what he described as a bold new approach to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East and beyond.
However, it remains unclear whether India will accept the invitation, as the Modi government has not yet issued an official response.
Invitation Comes Amid Strained India–US Trade Ties
The outreach comes at a time when India–US relations are under strain, particularly due to the failure to finalise a bilateral trade deal that would reduce tariffs on Indian exports to the US. India currently faces tariffs of up to 50 per cent, among the highest imposed by Washington.
Despite these tensions, Trump’s letter signals Washington’s desire to involve New Delhi in a high-profile diplomatic initiative with global implications.
What the US Ambassador Said
In a post on X, Ambassador Sergio Gor said he was honoured to deliver Trump’s invitation to PM Modi to participate in the Board of Peace, which he said would aim to “bring lasting peace to Gaza.”
“The Board will support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity,” Gor said.
Inside Trump’s Letter to PM Modi
In his letter, Trump referred to his September 29 announcement outlining a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict, along with a 20-point roadmap for peace in the Middle East.
He noted that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had overwhelmingly adopted Resolution 2803, which welcomed and endorsed this vision.
“Now it is time to turn all of these dreams into reality,” Trump wrote.
“At the heart of the plan is the Board of Peace — the most impressive and consequential board ever assembled — which will be established as a new international organisation and transitional governing administration,” he added.
Trump said the initiative would bring together a “distinguished group of nations” willing to shoulder the “noble responsibility” of building lasting peace and investing in a secure and prosperous future for future generations.
He also said that partner nations would be convened in the near future.
India Among 60 Countries Invited
Trump has reportedly extended similar invitations to around 60 countries, including Pakistan, which has already indicated it would engage in international peace efforts related to Gaza.
Other invitees reportedly include Italy and several Western and Middle Eastern nations.
What Is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?
The Board of Peace was unveiled as part of the second phase of the Israel–Hamas ceasefire agreement, signed in October 2025. The international body was later endorsed by the UN Security Council in November 2025 to oversee the ceasefire.
According to the proposal:
- The board would initially focus exclusively on Gaza
- It would be chaired for life by Donald Trump
- Member states would serve three-year terms, unless they contribute $1 billion each, which would grant permanent membership
- Funds raised would be used to rebuild Gaza, with US officials saying “virtually every dollar” would go towards reconstruction
- The body would operate without “exorbitant salaries or administrative bloat”
The White House said permanent membership would be reserved for nations demonstrating deep commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.
Key Appointees Named
Trump has already named several high-profile figures to the board’s executive leadership, including:
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
- Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner
- Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
- Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan
- World Bank President Ajay Banga
- US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel
UN Concerns and Diplomatic Pushback
While the Board of Peace has UNSC authorisation only until 2027 and solely for Gaza, Trump’s invitation letter reportedly includes language suggesting the body could later expand its mandate to other global conflicts.
This has triggered concerns among European and UN diplomats, who fear the initiative could undermine the United Nations.
“It’s a ‘Trump United Nations’ that ignores the fundamentals of the UN Charter,” one diplomat told Reuters.
Several Western diplomats and an Israeli source said Trump envisions the Board eventually overseeing other conflicts he claims to have resolved — a move likely to face resistance from China and Russia, both of which hold veto power at the UN Security Council.
Smaller nations may also object, as the UN system has historically given them a voice in global decision-making.
Responding to questions, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said the UN remains the only institution with the moral and legal authority to unite all nations.
“If we question that, we fall back into very, very dark times,” she told Sky News, adding that participation in the Board of Peace was ultimately a decision for individual states.
Trump, however, has insisted the board will be “one of a kind,” declaring: “There has never been anything like it.”