There was no Indian presence as US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his Board of Peace, a physique conceived for working for peace in Gaza however whose open-ended function in tackling international conflicts has given rise to considerations in regards to the undermining of the United Nations. Up to now, no everlasting member of the UN Safety Council (apart from the US) has joined the board, nor has any member of G7 (apart from the US).
as he arrives on the “Board of Peace” assembly in the course of the World Financial Discussion board (WEF) annual assembly in Davos on January 22, 2026. (AFP)
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As Trump presided over a signing ceremony for the board on the margins of the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, Switzerland, he once more performed up his function in purportedly ending eight wars in 9 months, together with the battle between India and Pakistan final Might. With Pakistan amongst 19 international locations that joined the ceremony, Trump mentioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had praised him for saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
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India was amongst some 60 international locations that obtained invites final week from Trump to hitch the Board of Peace and folks accustomed to the matter acknowledged that no Indian officers had been current on the ceremony within the Swiss mountain resort. The Indian aspect is but to decide on becoming a member of the board, they mentioned.
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The board’s official constitution makes no point out of Gaza in any respect and as a substitute outlines a sweeping mandate that might problem or undermine present worldwide frameworks and establishments working for battle decision and international governance. The constitution states the board will promote stability and safe enduring peace in areas affected by battle, and Trump himself alluded that the physique might tackle different international crises after its work in Gaza.
“I believe we are able to unfold out to different issues as we succeed with Gaza,” Trump mentioned. “We are able to do quite a few different issues. As soon as this board is totally fashioned, we are able to do just about no matter we wish to do.”
Trump famous that the Board of Peace might work at the side of the UN however made it clear that the world physique had no function within the eight wars he had “stopped”, together with the India-Pakistan battle. “We’re very completely satisfied to cease the battle that had began with India and Pakistan, two nuclear nations, and I used to be very honoured when the prime minister of Pakistan mentioned President Trump saved 10 and perhaps 20 million lives by getting that stopped simply earlier than dangerous issues had been going to occur,” he mentioned.
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India has rejected Trump’s claims of ending the battle and mentioned hostilities ended after 4 days of combating when Indian and Pakistani navy officers reached an understanding.
The paperwork for launching the board had been signed by the heads of state or authorities of 11 international locations — Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Uzbekistan — and senior officers of eight nations — Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE and Mongolia.
Whereas the Indian aspect carefully watched the positions taken by key companions – together with France and Russia – there have been considerations in regards to the Board of Peace in the end undermining the UN and Trump remaining as chairman of the physique in perpetuity, the individuals mentioned.
Pakistan’s presence within the board too was seen in some quarters as problematic. Apart from Shehbaz Sharif, who signed the paperwork, the ceremony was attended by Pakistan Military chief Discipline Marshal Asim Munir, whom the premier identified to Trump within the viewers.
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, a member of the chief board and in addition the Gaza government board of the Board of Peace, outlined a growth plan for Gaza however made no point out of a path in direction of a Palestinian state. The Gaza government board is a part of the second part of an settlement between Israel and Hamas brokered by the US, and the primary part, the ceasefire in Gaza finalised final October, has been marred by violence. The second part will even need to deal with essential points corresponding to disarming Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The Indian aspect may have a possibility to debate the Gaza peace course of with key companions in West Asia when it hosts a gathering of international ministers of Arab League member states in New Delhi throughout January 30-31. On Thursday, Neena Malhotra, secretary (South) within the exterior affairs ministry, met envoys of Arab League states to evaluation preparations for the assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi can be anticipated to journey to Israel in February, a visit that can provide alternatives for consultations on the regional state of affairs.
