Davos, Switzerland: India was notably absent on Thursday at the ceremony where US President Donald Trump launched the “Board of Peace”, an initiative intended to work toward peace in Gaza and broader conflict resolution, on the margins of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, according to reports.
President Trump presided over the signing of the charter establishing the Board of Peace, which he has presented as part of a broader plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict and promoting stability in conflict areas globally. Around 35 countries have committed to the initiative so far, according to reports, according to an India Today report.
Despite receiving an invitation, India did not have officials present at the launch and has not publicly taken a decision on whether to join the board. The absence of India — along with other major powers such as France, the United Kingdom, China and Germany — highlights diplomatic caution and questions around international engagement with the initiative.
In contrast, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif participated in the event and signed the charter alongside Trump, a development that drew attention given longstanding tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi, reported Times of India.
Israel question’s Pakistan’s inclusion
Pakistan’s inclusion has been questioned by Israel. On the sidelines of the Davos summit, Israel’s Minister of Economy Nir Barkat said any country which supports terror is not welcome to put troops in Gaza, reported NDTV.
Countries absent from signing invitation
A long list of countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy and other European nations, were absent from the signing, and some have specifically rejected the invitation, reported CNBC.
In an interview to BBC, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday said it “won’t be one of the signatories today,” citing concerns over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to join.
Spain did not send a representative to the signing. An invitation for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to join was “under review,” according to Spanish media.
France reportedly turned the invitation down to join the board, as did Germany, according to a Spiegel report citing a Foreign Ministry document. “We need more time,” Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told state broadcaster RAI on Wednesday. Belgium has not signed up either. Sweden, Slovenia and Norway also turned the invitation down, according to local news reports.
What the Board of Peace Is Designed To Do
The Board of Peace has been framed by the Trump administration as a body to help disarm Hamas, oversee Gaza reconstruction, and support durable peace, though its broader mandate has raised questions about how it would interact with existing international institutions such as the United Nations.
The charter describes the organization’s aim as promoting stability, restoring governance, and securing peace in areas affected by conflict. Trump has indicated the body could expand its focus beyond Gaza once established.
An executive board has been named to help guide the initiative’s work, involving senior figures from several countries and international institutions, though detailed roles and implementation plans remain topics of ongoing discussion among participating governments.
India’s decision to delay joining reflects careful assessment of geopolitical and diplomatic implications. New Delhi has historically supported a two-State solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is reported to be reviewing the proposal and its potential impact.
Foreign ministers of Arab League member states are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on January 30-31, where the Gaza peace process — including Trump’s initiative — is expected to be discussed further. India’s diplomatic engagement in the region, including a planned visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in February, may provide further context on its position.
