Board of Peace: Why India Has Been Invited and What It Means for Global Governance

Context

India has been invited by Donald Trump to join a proposed international body called the “Board of Peace”.

About the Board of Peace

• Background

• • • The Board of Peace emerged from Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which envisages a temporary international body to supervise transitional governance and stabilisation in Gaza. 
    • Although it had received backing from the United Nations Security Council with Resolution 2803 in November 2025, the initiative’s latest charter suggests an expanded role that could extend beyond Gaza to address global conflicts more broadly.

• Key Features of the Initiative:

• • The Board is envisaged as a new international organisation tasked with strategic oversight, reconstruction, and long-term stability in conflict zones.
  • Trump is proposed to serve as its inaugural Chairman, exercising leadership even after his presidential tenure, raising questions about sovereign equality and governance structure within the body.
  • Membership terms reportedly include three-year tenures for participating states, with an option for permanent membership on higher financial contributions, though official U.S. statements have denied mandatory fees.

Significance of the invite for India

• Recognition of India as a Responsible Global Stakeholder: India’s inclusion signals its growing diplomatic stature and recognition as a responsible global actor capable of contributing to peace-building efforts.
• Alignment with Constitutional Commitment to International Peace (Article 51): Participation would align with India’s constitutional vision under Article 51, which encourages the promotion of international peace, security, and cooperation.
• India’s Expanding Strategic Engagement in West Asia: The invite reflects India’s increasing engagement in West Asian geopolitics, where it balances strategic ties with Israel, the Arab world, and Iran.

Diplomatic and Strategic Questions for India

• Sovereignty and Institutional Norms: Accepting the invite implies association with a body that could evolve into a parallel mechanism to established international organisations like the United Nations, potentially challenging traditional multilateral norms.
• Global Governance Role: Participation signals India’s willingness to play a constructive role in global peace processes, aligning with its constitutional commitment to promote international peace and security under Article 51 of the Constitution.
• Regional Balance: India must carefully navigate its position, particularly with neighbouring countries such as Pakistan also being invited, and in the backdrop of complex Middle East geopolitics.

Implications for Global Governance

• Rise of Ad Hoc Coalitions alongside Formal Multilateralism: The proposal reflects a broader trend of ad hoc coalitions and informal groupings emerging alongside traditional multilateral institutions.
• Shifting Approaches to Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building: If operationalised, the Board could influence debates on peace enforcement versus peace-building, and the role of powerful states in conflict resolution.
• Implications for the Future of Global Institutional Architecture: It also raises questions about the future relevance and reform of existing international institutions.

Way Forward

• Cautious and Informed Engagement: India is expected to adopt a cautious and calibrated stance, seeking clear information on the mandate, authority, legal basis, and international legitimacy of the proposed Board of Peace.
• Upholding Strategic Autonomy and Sovereignty: Any decision will be guided by India’s core foreign policy principles, including strategic autonomy, respect for state sovereignty, and adherence to international law.
• Preference for Established Multilateral Frameworks: India is likely to prioritise engagement through recognised multilateral institutions and international frameworks rather than endorsing or legitimising an untested and informal global mechanism.

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