The Board of Peace was formed to uphold the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and supervise a temporary governance framework in Gaza
MM Report
NEW DEHLI: India has reportedly expressed concern that US President Donald Trump could raise the Kashmir dispute at the Board of Peace as early as Monday, according to British media reports. Officials in New Delhi are said to fear that Trump may seek to expand the forum’s mandate beyond Gaza, potentially drawing India into discussions it wishes to avoid.
The Board of Peace was established to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and to oversee an interim governance arrangement in Gaza. Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have already agreed to participate. A total of 59 countries have signed on, with representatives from 19 attending the signing ceremony in Davos.
Reports noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been invited but did not attend the event. Trump has invited India to join the initiative for Gaza’s reconstruction. However, it remains unclear whether New Delhi will accept the offer. Officials in India are reportedly wary that participation could inadvertently entangle the country in discussions over issues beyond Gaza, including Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
At the Davos ceremony, Trump described the initiative as not just an American project but a global model. He suggested it could be applied to other regions, claiming its success in Gaza could serve as a template elsewhere. This approach has reportedly caused concern in New Delhi, which fears that the US president may use the platform to address sensitive bilateral issues.
India’s former permanent representative to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, was quoted as warning that joining the board could conflict with UN Security Council Resolution 2803. He suggested that participation might be interpreted as endorsing the board’s decisions. Another former Indian diplomat, Ranjit Rae, noted that the board has no fixed timeline and could potentially operate beyond Gaza, heightening concerns about long-term implications.
Observers say India’s decision on joining the Board of Peace could affect both regional stability in West Asia and its relations with the United States. New Delhi appears to be weighing the benefits of engagement against the risks of setting a precedent that might entangle it in disputes far beyond Gaza.
