What is Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ and why has India been invited? | Explained

The United States has invited India to join a proposed international mechanism called the Board of Peace, an initiative announced by US President Donald Trump as part of his administration’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, a 20-point roadmap for post-war governance, reconstruction and long-term stability in Gaza.

In a statement issued by the White House, Trump said the Board of Peace would play an essential role in implementing the plan following the Israel-Hamas war, providing strategic oversight, mobilising international resources and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.

Also read: $1 billion gets a permanent seat on Trump's Board of 'Peace for Gaza', as India and others invited


The White House statement said the move follows the formal establishment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which Trump described as a “vital step forward” in implementing Phase Two of the Comprehensive Plan.

The NCAG will be led by Ali Sha’ath, a former Palestinian Authority official, and will oversee the restoration of public services, rebuilding of civil institutions and stabilisation of daily life in Gaza, while laying the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining governance. The statement added that the framework aligns with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025), which endorsed the Comprehensive Plan and welcomed the establishment of the Board of Peace.

What is the Board of Peace?

The Board of Peace is an international body chaired by US President Donald Trump, created to oversee the October 2025 ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and manage Gaza’s post-war transition. The initiative was proposed in October 2025 and was endorsed the following month by the United Nations Security Council.

Under the framework, the Board will supervise a transitional Palestinian technocratic administration in the Gaza Strip, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).

The Board’s mandate also includes efforts to disarm Hamas and oversee the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational peacekeeping mission tasked with maintaining security and training a new Palestinian police force.

After months of discussions, the formation of the Board was formally announced in January 2026, ahead of the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, where its first meeting was scheduled to be held. In January 2026, the United States circulated a draft charter for the proposed Board of Peace to multiple countries as part of efforts to operationalise the plan.

What does the draft charter say?

A draft charter for the Board of Peace states that membership terms would run for three years, with the option of renewal. Countries seeking to extend their participation beyond the initial term may be required to contribute $1 billion, while short-term participation would not involve any financial commitment. The draft charter also vests significant authority in the chair of the Board, including powers related to membership decisions and renewals.

Who is on the Board of Peace?

A statement published by the White House on Saturday details a three-tiered power structure, with a US-led “Board of Peace” composed of billionaires and figures close to Israel at the top.

The Board’s initial leadership structure is expected to be dominated by US officials, with support from international figures involved in diplomacy and post-conflict economic reconstruction.

The leadership group includes President Donald Trump, who is expected to chair the initiative, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former senior presidential adviser Jared Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, World Bank President Ajay Banga, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, CEO of Apollo Global Management Marc Rowan and US national security adviser Robert Gabriel.

Which countries have been invited?

The United States has extended invitations to around 60 countries as part of its effort to broaden international participation in the Board of Peace. Countries named in official reporting include India, Pakistan, Brazil, Italy, New Zealand, Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, Canada, Australia, Hungary, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom and Israel, which remains under consultation.

The Kremlin on Monday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had also received an invitation.

According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump said he will impose ​a 200% tariff on French wines ‌and champagnes, a move he claimed ​would push French President Emmanuel Macron to join Mr. Trump’s Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts.

When asked by a reporter about Mr. Macron saying he will not join the board, Mr. Trump said, “Did he say that? ​Well, nobody wants him because he will ⁠be out of office very soon.”

“I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll ​join, but he doesn’t ⁠have to join,” Mr. Trump said.

France intends to decline the invitation to join the initiative, at this stage, a source close ‌to Mr. Macron said.

Several governments have indicated that they are reviewing the proposal and seeking further clarity on the Board’s mandate, legal standing and relationship with existing international institutions, according to Reuters.

Why was India invited?

India was among several countries invited to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace initiative on Gaza, though New Delhi has not yet taken a decision on whether to accept the invitation. The outreach was made public on January 18 by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who posted the invitation letter on X.

Also read: Trump invites India to join proposed ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza

The letter, dated January 16, invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join what Trump described as a “critically historic” effort to solidify peace in the Middle East and pursue a new approach to resolving global conflicts.

India has so far not commented publicly on the invitation.

India has consistently emphasised its support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, advocating the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel as the most viable path to lasting peace, according to responses by the Ministry of External Affairs in Parliament.

As reported by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the invitation forces India to weigh its humanitarian instincts and global ambitions against reputational, legal and strategic risks embedded in the board’s design.

"...these factors carry clear reputational and strategic risks for India, which can support humanitarian relief and reconstruction without formally joining the board—an approach that may better preserve its credibility," the think tank said.

New Delhi has reiterated this stance repeatedly since the latest round of fighting began on October 7, 2023, reflecting India’s longstanding policy approach to the crisis. Any decision on participating in the Board of Peace is therefore likely to be weighed against this foundational diplomatic position and India’s broader foreign policy priorities.