India Evaluates Joining Trump's Gaza Peace Initiative

The Indian government is currently evaluating U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation to become a part of the Gaza “Board of Peace.” Foreign policy analysts are advising New Delhi to carefully consider the board’s legitimacy, its mandate, and how it aligns with international law.

On January 21, 2026, several nations, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the UAE, declared their intent to join the board, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also accepting the invitation.

Sources in New Delhi have indicated that Indian and Israeli diplomats are discussing possible reciprocal visits between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu in the forthcoming weeks. This is a significant part of India’s engagement with West Asia amid the Israel-Palestine conflict.

India is set to host the Arab League's Foreign Ministers on January 30, where talks on the U.S.-backed Gaza peace proposal will be on the agenda.

Both President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed of the UAE and Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed their acceptance to join the board during the announcement. Mr. Modi is also planning a tour of West Asia next month, with Israel as a likely destination. His last visit to Israel occurred in 2017, while he visited Palestine in 2018. The pending visit of Mr. Netanyahu to India has been postponed multiple times over the past year.

The peace board proposal was extended to around 60 countries, including India, Russia, China, Brazil, Argentina, and several European and West Asian nations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, discussions surrounding India’s decision are still ongoing.

Experts have emphasized that India should weigh its long-held support for a two-state solution and its commitment to the Palestinian populace before agreeing to join the board. Former Ambassador Anil Trigunayat remarked that peace in Gaza would be advantageous for civilians, noting India’s potential role in humanitarian efforts. However, he expressed concerns about the proposed corporate governance model of the board and a reported $1 billion fee for permanent membership.

Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Menon Rao highlighted that India’s involvement must respect international law, possess a well-defined and limited mandate, and align with United Nations frameworks. She suggested that New Delhi would likely seek further clarity before reaching a final decision.

Additional nations that have committed to joining the board include Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Morocco. In contrast, Ukraine and the United Kingdom have opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s participation.

The United States has proposed that President Donald Trump chair the board, with participants including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special negotiator Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, financier Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel from the U.S. National Security Council.