India, France and China were among the notable absentees as US President Donald Trump unveiled his Gaza-focused “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, even as 35 countries signed on to the US-led initiative.
Countries joining the board included Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan, but several major powers chose not to participate, highlighting concerns about the body’s mandate and its implications for existing multilateral institutions such as the United Nations.
India, which received an invitation earlier this week, has neither accepted nor declined. Officials familiar with the matter said New Delhi is assessing the proposal, particularly Trump’s suggestion that the board could assume responsibilities traditionally handled by the UN in Gaza’s post-war governance.
“India is not rejecting the idea outright, but the implications are complex,” a diplomatic source said. “Questions around accountability, decision-making and consistency with UN processes are central to India’s thinking.”
France has opted out of the initiative, while China has not publicly indicated whether it intends to join. The United Kingdom said it would not participate at this stage, citing reservations about the board’s evolving remit and the possibility of Russian involvement. Russia said it was considering joining.
Launching the initiative, Trump warned Hamas to disarm or face swift military action, describing disarmament as the first test of the board’s credibility. He said Washington would know within weeks whether Hamas intended to comply. Trump described the Board of Peace as potentially “one of the most consequential bodies ever created” and said he would serve as its inaugural chairman.
While rejecting claims that the body was designed to replace the UN, he said it could operate with wide latitude, working “in conjunction” with the organisation.
India’s absence was notable at the signing ceremony, particularly as Pakistan formally joined the board. Diplomats said New Delhi’s caution reflects long-standing concerns about ad hoc international mechanisms that bypass established multilateral frameworks.
Former Indian ambassador Narinder Chauhan said the initiative raises fundamental questions.
“Peace-building has historically been the domain of the United Nations,” she said. “When the US President himself suggests that the Board of Peace might replace the UN, it naturally raises red flags.” She added that policymakers would seek clarity on decision-making structures, funding and whether pledged resources would be directed towards reconstruction, including in Gaza.
UN officials struck a cautious note, saying any engagement with the Board of Peace would be limited to frameworks authorised by the Security Council. Egyptian and Palestinian diplomats also warned against parallel mechanisms that could marginalise existing UN processes.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, agreed in October, which has seen repeated accusations of violations by both Israel and Hamas. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join the board, uncertainty remains over how the new body will function alongside established UN mechanisms.
