By Admin 
US President Donald Trump formally launched his new body ‘Board of Peace’ during the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland. This board was initially created to monitor the ceasefire in Gaza and the reconstruction of the war-affected area. However, India did not participate in this inauguration ceremony. Except America, no permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and no representative of the G7 countries became part of this initiative.
How many countries have joined so far?
Donald Trump has so far been successful in including 11 countries in the ‘Board of Peace’. However, apart from America, no country of the G7 group has participated in it. India is among about 60 countries that were invited to join this board, but no official from India was present at the ceremony held in a Swiss mountain resort. The Indian side has said that no final decision has been taken yet regarding joining the board.
What is India’s concern?
According to sources, India is keeping an eye on the stance of its major partner countries like France and Russia on this issue. India fears that this new board may weaken the role of the United Nations (UN) in the future. Apart from this, concerns are also being raised that Trump will remain the chairman of this board for life, due to which questions may be raised on its impartiality.
Is the new board challenging the UN?
There is no explicit mention of Gaza in the official charter of the Board of Peace, although it was originally said to be created to resolve the Gaza crisis. Instead, the Board has been given a wide jurisdiction under which it can intervene in various international conflicts around the world. Experts believe that this may challenge existing international institutions and structures.
Trump’s big claim
During the ceremony, Trump said that he has ended eight wars in the last nine months. In this he also mentioned the military tension between India and Pakistan in May. Trump claimed that he saved the lives of millions of people by stopping the war between the two nuclear countries.
India’s stance
India has already rejected this claim of Trump. India says that the tension between India and Pakistan was reduced due to the mutual understanding between the military officers of the two countries, and not by the mediation of any third country.
Pakistan’s presence in discussion
19 countries including Pakistan participated in the ceremony of ‘Board of Peace’. Heads of state of 11 countries – Indonesia, Argentina, Hungary and Kazakhstan – signed the documents. Senior officials from countries like Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, UAE and Qatar were also present. The presence of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir along with Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also became a topic of discussion.
Who will lead the board
Donald Trump will be the lifetime chairman of the ‘Board of Peace’. They have added seven members to the board, including Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Ajay Banga, Mark Rowan and Robert Gabriel. Trump’s son-in-law and executive board member Jared Kushner has presented a plan for the development of Gaza. However, there is no mention of the creation of a Palestinian state. Experts say that due to complex issues like disarmament of Hamas and withdrawal of Israeli forces, it will not be easy to implement this plan.
What will India do next?
India is currently adopting a ‘wait and watch’ policy on this entire matter. This topic can be discussed in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Arab League to be held in New Delhi on 30–31 January. Apart from this, the possible visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in February is also being considered important from the point of view of regional diplomacy.