In a significant development in international diplomacy, United States President Donald Trump has extended invitations to India and Pakistan—along with several other nations—to join a newly proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza, aimed at overseeing reconstruction, governance, and security in the war-torn region. The invitation comes as part of the second phase of a US-mediated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, reflecting Washington’s ongoing efforts to stabilize Gaza and potentially expand the initiative to other global conflict zones.
While India’s inclusion has been widely reported, Pakistan confirmed its invite hours earlier, signaling an unusual instance where both South Asian neighbors could collaborate under a US-led multilateral initiative despite longstanding bilateral tensions.
Purpose and Scope of the Board
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Board of Peace is envisaged as a founding international body to supervise the next steps in Gaza following Trump’s ceasefire framework. The initiative initially targets Gaza but is expected to expand to address other global conflicts over time.
The immediate responsibilities of the board include:
- Reconstruction and rebuilding of Gaza’s infrastructure and economy.
- Governance oversight, supporting local Palestinian administrative institutions.
- Investment facilitation and capital mobilisation for long-term economic stability.
- Security coordination, including the disarmament of Hamas and deployment of an international force to maintain peace.
A draft charter obtained by Reuters and reported by multiple international news agencies details that member countries will initially serve three-year terms, during which they will contribute their expertise and diplomatic support.
The $1 Billion Clause
A unique aspect of this initiative is the financial requirement for continued participation. While the initial three-year appointment does not require any payment, countries wishing to secure permanent membership on the board would need to contribute $1 billion each.
The payment is expected to fund the board’s ongoing operations, including infrastructure rebuilding, security measures, and capacity-building efforts in conflict zones. Critics and analysts have noted that while the clause is ambitious, it could potentially make participation challenging for smaller nations or those with limited fiscal capacity.
This model of combining diplomatic influence with a financial stake appears aimed at ensuring commitment and accountability among member states, while also providing the board with a robust financial base for long-term operations.
India’s and Pakistan’s Role
If India accepts the invitation, it would join the board as a founding member for a three-year term, contributing expertise in governance, infrastructure, and investment. India’s inclusion reflects its growing role as a global player in peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts, particularly in conflict-prone regions.
For Pakistan, the invite represents an opportunity to participate in a US-mediated initiative aimed at stabilizing Gaza, despite complex geopolitical considerations and historically tense relations with India. Both nations’ participation could have symbolic significance, showing cooperation on multilateral platforms despite bilateral differences.
According to reports, the board will initially focus on:
- Supporting a new Palestinian administration in Gaza.
- Overseeing reconstruction projects destroyed during conflict.
- Facilitating foreign investments and capital mobilisation to stimulate economic growth.
- Ensuring security and disarmament, reducing the likelihood of renewed violence.
The initiative is also expected to coordinate with United Nations agencies, as highlighted by the board’s alignment with UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which endorsed the broader framework outlined in Trump’s ceasefire plan.
High-Profile Leadership and Membership
US President Donald Trump is slated to chair the board, supported by an executive team comprising senior political and financial figures. Reportedly, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and World Bank President Ajay Banga—an Indian-origin technocrat—will form the core group guiding the board’s policies and implementation strategy.
Ajay Banga’s role underscores the board’s emphasis on financial governance, investment planning, and sustainable development, reflecting the ambition to create a robust institutional framework capable of overseeing Gaza’s rebuilding while setting a precedent for future global interventions.
Trump’s letters to world leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, described the board as a “critically historic and magnificent effort to solidify peace in the Middle East” and an opportunity for nations to “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict.” The letters highlight that participation is not only symbolic but also a strategic responsibility, intended for nations willing to lead by example in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Trump’s Vision and the 20-Point Roadmap
The initiative builds on Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, unveiled on September 29, 2025, and subsequently endorsed by the UN Security Council. The plan outlines a 20-point roadmap addressing conflict resolution, economic rebuilding, governance reform, and security.
The board is intended to function as the executive arm of this plan, with participating nations contributing diplomatic guidance, technical expertise, and financial resources. By combining political leadership with operational oversight, the board seeks to ensure that the ceasefire and reconstruction efforts translate into tangible outcomes on the ground.
In addition to India and Pakistan, the invite list reportedly includes countries such as Turkey, Egypt, France, Germany, Australia, and Canada, as well as leaders of the European Commission and other global institutions. The multilateral composition underscores the US vision of a broadly supported international mechanism, lending legitimacy to both the ceasefire and subsequent reconstruction efforts.
Reactions and Implications
The invitation has sparked discussions among foreign policy analysts about:
- India’s potential diplomatic leverage in Middle Eastern affairs, reflecting its evolving role in global peace initiatives.
- Pakistan’s participation, which could signal willingness to engage multilaterally even amid regional tensions.
- The financial commitment, which may limit long-term participation to wealthier nations capable of the $1 billion contribution, potentially raising questions about equity and influence within the board.
- The precedent for international intervention, with the board combining governance oversight, financial management, and security coordination under a US-led framework.
Trump’s messaging, as seen in the letters, emphasizes both the moral imperative of participating and the strategic prestige of helping build lasting peace in one of the most volatile regions of the world.
US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, echoed this sentiment in a public message, describing the invitation as an honor and highlighting that the board would support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity in Gaza.
Conclusion
The formation of Trump’s Board of Peace represents an ambitious attempt to tackle the Gaza conflict through a combination of multilateral diplomacy, financial commitment, and technocratic governance. India and Pakistan’s inclusion highlights the potential for regional powers to contribute constructively, even amid broader geopolitical complexities.
While the $1 billion “fee” for permanent membership introduces a novel element of financial accountability, the initial three-year term allows countries to participate without monetary obligations, ensuring broad-based involvement at the outset.
As discussions move forward, the world will watch closely to see how effectively this board can translate ceasefire agreements into lasting peace, reconstruction, and stability, not only in Gaza but potentially as a model for other conflict zones in the future.
The initiative, if successful, could redefine international peacebuilding by creating a structured, well-funded, and politically backed mechanism for conflict resolution—a bold experiment at the intersection of diplomacy, governance, and finance.
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