Pakistan Joins Trump's 'Board of Peace' Despite Israeli Objections; India Yet to Respond

Davos: Pakistan was officially confirmed as a member of the newly established "Board of Peace" on Thursday, an international organisation initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump to promote stability and achieve lasting peace in conflict-affected or threatened regions.

The announcement came during a high-profile signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stood alongside Trump and representatives from other member countries. The board, originally conceived to oversee the post-conflict reconstruction and governance of Gaza following a ceasefire, has now been positioned with a broader global mandate.

Trump, who will serve as chairman while also representing the United States, emphasised the board's potential in his opening remarks. He declared that "everybody" wants to join and that the initiative would begin with Gaza before expanding worldwide. "I think we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza... we're going to be very successful in Gaza," Trump stated, adding that once fully formed, the board could "do pretty much whatever we want to do."

The current membership includes the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Indonesia, Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary (with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a key supporter), Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, and others. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also agreed to participate.

Pakistan's inclusion has drawn sharp criticism from Israel. Earlier this month, Israeli envoy to India Reuven Azar expressed discomfort with any role for Pakistani forces in Gaza operations, citing concerns over alleged links between Hamas and terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, including Lashkar-e-Taiba. "Can Only Work With States We Trust": Israel had previously rejected Pakistan's involvement in any boots-on-the-ground plan for Gaza stabilization. Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat described the presence of Pakistani soldiers in any transition or reconstruction force as "unacceptable."

In India, Pakistan's participation—particularly the sight of Prime Minister Sharif alongside Trump and allies like Turkey—has raised eyebrows. New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, including the deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. India received an invitation to join the board but has not yet responded.

Several major powers are conspicuously absent. Western European nations such as France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have stayed away, along with Russia and China. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed receiving an invitation but reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to the United Nations-centered international system.

Under the board's charter, Trump holds significant authority as chairman, including the power to create, modify, or dissolve subsidiary entities, appoint executive board members for two-year terms (subject to his removal authority), and retain the chairmanship even after leaving office until he resigns or becomes incapacitated. A future U.S. president could appoint a different American representative, but Trump's position appears enduring.

The initiative has sparked debate over its implications for global governance, with some observers questioning whether it could challenge or sideline established bodies like the United Nations. Trump has insisted the board will collaborate with the UN and other partners.

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