India did well to spurn spot on ‘trumped’ board

India has done well by showing no urgency to respond to US President Donald Trump’s offer to join his proposed Board of Peace which doesn’t find approval from Russia, China and leading nations of the European Union. Given his preliminary roadmap unveiled on September 20 (2025) while mediating truce between Hamas and Israel, the Board was meant to set up a transnational administration in Gaza to redevelop it and coordinate the international funding.

Gaza finds no mention in his January 20 plan and the ambit has been expanded to make it an international organisation. Latter statements make it abundantly clear that he would like the body to have a role in all kinds of global conflicts. The Board idea is a product of Trump’s maverick personality and maniac zeal to realise his self-conceived goals. It is implicit from his promotional campaign that the Board “might replace” the United Nations as could be grasped from utterances.

If nothing else, the standing ovation Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Mark Carney received after his speech at Davos makes it clear that nations would do well by not falling into Trumpian trap. Krney’s remark, ‘’if you aren’t on the table, you are on the menu’’ precisely summarised the consequence of any such Board or organisation replacing the UN. The objectives of the Trump’s proposed Board are specious at the best and fallacious at the worst. It will be he who would be heading it as chairman without a fixed term. 

The permanent membership will be offered to nations in lieu of $ one billion. It raises the spectre of a rich nations club dominating the decision-making. His hand-picked eight-member executive committee has members such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, a prominent realtor. Blair’s role in invasion of Iraq on the false claim of Saddam’s regime possessing weapons of mass destruction needs no reiteration while Kushner brazen about turning Gaza into a Riviera is symbolic of the moral bankruptcy sought to be deployed.

Trump is on record to have said that he is guided by “his own sense of morality” and only ‘’his own mind can set limits on his actions’’. These words can scarcely be acceptable to ones having belief in multilateralism, global consensus and the willingness to strengthen the United Nations which still carries the legitimacy as the largest world body capable of winning the trust of all member-nations.

That 19 nations have already joined the Board should be no guide for India to toe the line of the fan club of Trump. 
The Modi government deserves appreciation for seeing through the game for what it is. India must not be part of any effort that replaces the UN or undermines its legitimacy.