In Focus by The Hindu Should India join Trump’s Board of Peace?
Jan 27, 2026
Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor at The Hindu, outlines the controversy around Trump’s proposed Board of Peace and its origins from a UN resolution. He examines membership rules, potential for a US-led parallel to the UN, which countries have accepted or declined, and why India might prefer strengthening multilateral institutions over joining now.
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UN Origin Vs Trump’s Rebrand
- The UN Security Council's original Board of Peace was meant as a temporary Gaza-focused body under UN authority.
- Donald Trump repurposed the name into a global institution with no explicit Gaza mandate and outside UN structures.
Chairman Power Replaces UN Procedures
- The UN resolution gave no details on leadership, membership tiers, or enforcement mechanisms for the Board of Peace.
- Trump added a chairman with sweeping powers and an invitation-based membership outside UN oversight.
Money Buys Permanence And Influence
- Trump envisions lifelong chair authority and a paid 'permanent' tier costing about $1 billion, creating vested stakeholders.
- That design aims to lock in a wealthy clique that will defend the institution beyond a single presidency.