Trump Invites India to Join the Board of Peace for Gaza

United States President Donald Trump has formally invited India to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, a newly proposed international body designed to oversee governance and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, sources familiar with the matter confirmed in New Delhi on Sunday.

According to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, India has received an official invitation to become part of the Board, though the government has yet to convey its decision. The development comes just days after President Trump announced on social media that the Board of Peace had been constituted and that its members would be revealed in the near future.

Trump: What Is the Board of Peace for Gaza?

The India Board of Peace for Gaza invitation is part of a broader U.S.-led peace initiative aimed at reshaping Gaza’s post-conflict governance structure. Under the plan, Hamas is expected to relinquish its administrative control over the territory as part of a wider political settlement.

The Board of Peace is envisioned as a supervisory body comprising select nations and global leaders tasked with guiding Gaza through a transitional phase. President Trump is expected to chair the Board himself, with participation from “other members and heads of state.” Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has also been named as a key participant.

Origins of Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

President Trump first unveiled his Gaza peace proposal on September 29, 2025, during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the weeks that followed, Hamas agreed to release all 48 remaining hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel—an agreement seen as a critical early step in de-escalation.

Under the plan, Gaza would be administered by a temporary technocratic Palestinian committee, described as apolitical and composed of Palestinian professionals alongside international experts. This transitional authority would function under the supervision of the Board of Peace until the Palestinian Authority completes a comprehensive reform programme.

Trump: Role of the Board – Governance and Funding

Beyond political oversight, the Board of Peace for Gaza is expected to play a central role in coordinating international funding for Gaza’s redevelopment. The body would manage financial flows for infrastructure rebuilding, humanitarian relief, and economic stabilisation during the interim phase.

Officials indicated that this governance framework is intended to prevent a power vacuum while laying the groundwork for long-term Palestinian self-administration.

India’s Position: Governance Yes, Troops No

While India has the invite in hand to join the Board, officials reiterated that New Delhi is unlikely to participate in the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) being discussed by Washington and its partners. The ISF, envisioned as a temporary deployment to maintain order in Gaza, would not operate under a United Nations mandate—an important distinction for India.

Historically, India has contributed troops only to UN-sanctioned peacekeeping missions and has maintained this position consistently.

Modi Welcomed the First Phase of the Plan

On October 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly welcomed the initial phase of President Trump’s peace initiative. In a post on X, he described the agreement as a positive step, expressing hope that the release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid would ease suffering in Gaza and help create conditions for lasting peace.

India and the Two-State Solution

Despite evolving regional dynamics, India has consistently reaffirmed its long-standing support for a two-state solution, advocating for an independent Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security. The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated this position multiple times since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.

Diplomatic observers note that India’s potential inclusion in the India Board of Peace for Gaza would reflect its growing global diplomatic footprint, particularly in complex conflict-resolution efforts in West Asia.