In A Surprise, Trump Invites Both India And Pakistan To Join The Gaza Peace Board
A surprise American push on Gaza diplomacy places India and Pakistan on the same peace table as Washington seeks a new governance framework to end the war and shape post conflict recovery. Image courtesy: RNA
In a move that could surprise both New Delhi and Islamabad, US President Donald J. Trump has invited both India and Pakistan to join the proposed Board of Peace for Gaza, as part of his broader scheme for bringing an end to the over two-year Israel-Gaza conflict.
The peace plan is both an effort to stop the war in West Asia and to ensure the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Gaza under a governance agenda. This Trump initiative has the endorsement of the United Nations Security Council through its Resolution 2803 that sought to international oversight on the Gaza transition.
How did Trump deliver the invite to India?
In a social media post, Trump’s letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, got shared recently.
“Honored to convey POTUS invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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!” Gor said in a post on X.
When was Pakistan invited to the Peace Board?
Trump had already sent out such an invite to Pakistan, while Bangladesh has already expressed its willingness to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza under the plan.
The Trump invitation to Pakistan has already caused a huge political backlash inside the Islamic nation, as political forces are criticising the Shahbaz Sharif administration for going back on its promise to stand with the Palestinians.
What is the Board of Peace proposed by Trump?
Trump will chair the proposed Board of Peace that would oversee governance reforms, rehabilitation of the Gaza residents, and reconstruction of the infrastructure damaged by the war since 2023.
The Board of Peace would aim at building regional stability, as Trump described the plan as “one of a kind; there has never been anything like it!”
Who would form part of the Peace Board?
The other confirmed members of the Board of Peace would be US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special negotiator Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, US financier Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and NSC aide Robert Gabriel.
The two supporting bodies that would operate alongside the Board of Peace would be the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Palestinian technocrat Dr Ali Sha’ath, tasked with restoring public services and rebuilding civil institutions; and the Gaza Executive Board that would include international diplomats and regional figures such as Sigrid Kaag, Hakan Fidan, Ali Al-Thawadi, General Hassan Rashad, Reem Al-Hashimy, and Israeli billionaire Yakir Gabay.
Apart from India, Argentina, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Albania, and Cyprus have been invited to join the Board. Pakistan has previously confirmed the invitation and expressed willingness to be part of the peace effort and security in Gaza.
What concerns has the Trump initiative raised?
Trump’s peace plan for Gaza has had its opposition, too. Some European diplomats have warned that a large Board of Peace beyond Gaza would embroil the peace efforts in bureaucratic rigmarole, apart from undermining the UN.
The draft charter of the Board, which allows permanent membership to nations contributing over $1 billion, would grant Trump sweeping powers over membership, renewals, and decisions under the peace plan.
