The Indian government is currently evaluating U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation to be part of the U.S.-initiated Gaza “Board of Peace”. Policy analysts have advised New Delhi to scrutinize the board’s legitimacy, its objectives, and how they align with international law.
On January 21, 2026, a variety of nations declared their intention to join the board, including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also accepted this invitation.
Sources from New Delhi indicate that officials from India and Israel are negotiating visits, including a potential trip by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel and a reciprocal visit from Prime Minister Netanyahu to India in the near future. These discussions are part of India's increased engagement with West Asia and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Additionally, India is expected to host the Foreign Ministers from the 22-member Arab League on January 30, where discussions on the U.S.-backed Gaza peace initiative are anticipated.
During this announcement, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed of the UAE and Prime Minister Netanyahu also accepted the invitation to join the board. Mr. Modi's upcoming West Asia tour is set for next month, with Israel being a probable stop. His last journey to Israel occurred in 2017, with a follow-up visit to Palestine in 2018. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s intended visit to India has faced multiple delays over the past year.
The peace proposal has been issued to around 60 countries, including India, Russia, China, Brazil, Argentina, Pakistan, alongside various European and West Asian states. India's Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that the final decision is still under consideration.
Experts believe India must weigh its historical support for a two-state solution and its obligations to the Palestinian people before joining the board. Former Ambassador Anil Trigunayat suggested that peace in Gaza would be advantageous for civilians and indicated that India could play a significant role in providing humanitarian and medical assistance. However, he expressed concerns regarding the proposed corporate governance model and the reported $1 billion fee for permanent membership.
Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Menon Rao emphasized that India’s involvement should adhere to international law, possess a defined and narrowed mandate, and align with United Nations guidelines. She noted that New Delhi is likely to seek further clarity prior to finalizing its decision.
Other nations that have agreed to join the board include Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Morocco, while Ukraine and the United Kingdom have opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s membership.
The structure of the board proposed by the United States suggests that President Donald Trump would serve as the chair, with members like 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.
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