India Stays Away from Trump’s Board of Peace as Pakistan Joins Davos Launch

India chose to stay away from the launch of US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, even as Pakistan formally joined the initiative, triggering fresh debate over the body’s credibility, geopolitical intent, and international acceptance.

The launch ceremony, held on the sidelines of the annual Davos summit in Switzerland, was marked by carefully managed symbolism. Participating leaders appeared alongside Trump, signed the charter, and were seated in a hierarchical arrangement. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was seated to Trump’s right, exchanged a handshake with the US President, and briefly interacted with him before signing the document — visuals that quickly drew attention amid India’s conspicuous absence.

Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to be part of the initiative, New Delhi neither accepted nor formally declined the offer. Officials familiar with the matter indicated that India is still evaluating the proposal, given its security sensitivities and broader geopolitical implications. India’s decision not to participate immediately stood out, particularly as several other major powers also chose to stay away.

Around 35 countries signed on to the Board of Peace following sustained diplomatic outreach by Washington. However, key global players including France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China did not join the launch. Several others have remained non-committal, suggesting uncertainty about the initiative’s long-term structure and legitimacy.

India’s absence gains added significance in light of Pakistan’s participation. New Delhi has repeatedly raised concerns over Islamabad’s role in cross-border terrorism and has maintained that any peace initiative must be grounded in accountability and established international frameworks. Officials said India is weighing the proposal carefully, especially as the country continues to support a two-State solution to the Palestine issue, advocating peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine within recognised borders.

Pakistan, meanwhile, joined the board alongside countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Argentina, Morocco, and Vietnam. The grouping is expected to expand further, though several nations are reportedly waiting to assess how the body evolves before committing.

Political risk analyst Ian Bremmer said India is not bound to participate in Trump’s initiative and retains strategic flexibility in dealing with Washington. Speaking at Davos, Bremmer described India as a partner rather than a formal ally of the US, allowing it to push back on initiatives that may conflict with its interests. He suggested India should focus on trade negotiations while approaching the Board of Peace with caution, particularly to avoid weakening multilateral institutions such as the United Nations.

During his address, Trump once again repeated his claim that US intervention had helped prevent a military conflict between India and Pakistan — a statement New Delhi has consistently rejected. The remarks referred to tensions following India’s counter-terror operations in May 2025, which the Indian government has maintained were sovereign actions against terror infrastructure.

Trump has pitched the Board of Peace as a new international mechanism aimed at promoting stability, restoring lawful governance, and coordinating post-conflict reconstruction. Its initial focus is Gaza, where the board is expected to play a role in overseeing governance and funding under Trump’s proposed reconstruction plan. Trump said the board would work in conjunction with the United Nations, though diplomats have expressed concern that the initiative could dilute the UN’s central role in conflict resolution.

The absence of all permanent members of the UN Security Council, barring the United States, has further fuelled scepticism. France and Britain have declined participation for now, China has not clarified its stance, and Russia has said it is still studying the proposal.

While the Board of Peace has been presented as a bold new platform for global stability, India’s decision to avoid the Davos optics reflects a cautious approach — one that prioritises strategic autonomy, established multilateral norms, and long-term national interests over symbolic alignment.