Donald Trump launches Board of Peace: Pakistan becomes member, but India keeps distance

davos (Switzerland), 22 January. US President Donald Trump on Thursday formally launched a proposed peace board to work towards establishing lasting peace in Gaza and possibly resolving global conflicts at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here, but India was absent. However, Pakistan has joined it and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif was also present in the program.

Many European countries including India were absent from the unveiling ceremony.

At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the many global leaders invited by the US President to join the board announced under the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Apart from India, France, Britain, China, Germany and many other major countries also remained absent from the unveiling ceremony of the ‘Peace Board’ despite invitation.

gaza focus first, later expansion

This board has been formed by Trump and it will work on the lines of the United Nations. Initially its focus will be on reconstruction in Gaza, but later it will be expanded to resolve disputes around the world.

Trump hosted the event on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) held in the mountain resort of Davos, Switzerland. While addressing the unveiling ceremony, Trump described this board as a very unique initiative for the world. ‘This board, together with the United Nations, can help resolve wars not only in West Asia, but elsewhere too,’ he said at a ceremony to mark the signing of the board’s manifesto. However, he did not clarify how the board would cooperate with the United Nations.

What is India’s stand??

When asked about Trump’s invitation to Prime Minister Modi, people with knowledge of the entire incident said that India has not yet taken any decision on this. He said that India is considering various aspects of this initiative as it involves many sensitive issues. India is pushing for a ‘two-state solution’ to the Palestine issue, in which Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security within recognized borders.

Well, the countries joining the ‘Peace Board’ include Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. Many countries, including Germany, Italy, Paraguay, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine, have not yet given any clear response despite the invitation.

What is Board of Peace?

Trump’s ‘Peace Board’ is being projected by the US as a new international body to bring peace and stability to Gaza and beyond. This initiative has led to speculation that the ‘Peace Board’ could emerge as a rival body to the United Nations. Originally, this ‘peace board’ was to be tasked with overseeing governance and coordinating funding for the reconstruction of Gaza, which has been devastated by Israel’s military crackdown over the past two years.

However, the board’s ‘manifesto’ states that it is ‘an international organization which will strive to promote stability, restore credible and legitimate governance, and ensure lasting peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.’ It also says that lasting peace requires practical decisions, solutions based on common sense, and the courage to break away from approaches and institutions that have too often failed. The top level of the board formed under Trump’s leadership will ‘exclusively’ include heads of state.

Will play a role in completing Trump’s 20-point plan

The US has already announced that the ‘Peace Board’ will play an essential role in carrying out Trump’s 20-point plan to provide strategic oversight, mobilize international resources and ensure accountability during Gaza’s transition from conflict to peace and development.

The 20-point plan proposed by Trump includes making Gaza a terrorism-free zone that poses no threat to its neighbors and is redeveloped for the benefit of the people of the Gaza Strip. The White House last week announced the formation of a founding executive board to realize the vision of the ‘Peace Board’.

These veterans included in the board executive committee

The executive committee of the Peace Board includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, US Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs Steve Witkoff, businessman and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and World Bank President Ajay Banga.