India Fears Trump May Raise Kashmir Issue in Proposed Board of Peace

LONDON: India is reportedly concerned that U.S. President Donald Trump may bring up the Kashmir issue in the proposed “Board of Peace.”

According to a report in British media, India is apprehensive about Trump’s inclusion of Kashmir in discussions as part of this new peace initiative.

The “Board of Peace,” as outlined by President Trump, was proposed to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza and establish a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The board’s goal is to supervise the interim government during Gaza’s reconstruction. India was invited to join the initiative, but as of now, has not responded to the invitation. The report reveals that it remains unclear whether India will accept the invitation or not.

The report highlights that countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have already confirmed their participation in the proposed board, which has been signed by 59 nations. At the Davos summit, 19 countries were represented, and India was also invited to attend. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not participate in the event.

The British media report suggests that India is concerned about the potential consequences of joining the “Board of Peace.” India’s participation, or lack thereof, may affect stability in the Middle East and its relations with the United States. One of India’s main fears is that President Trump could bring the Kashmir issue to the table, thereby internationalizing the dispute.

In a recent statement at Davos, Trump said that the “Board of Peace” is not only for the United States but for the entire world. “I believe we can extend this model to other regions, as we successfully did in Gaza,” Trump stated.

The British media report also references former Indian diplomat Akbaruddin, who advised against India’s inclusion in the board, arguing that it might contradict United Nations Resolution 2803. He also warned that joining the board could make India a party to its decisions, potentially validating actions that do not align with India’s interests. Another former Indian diplomat, Ranjit Rai, echoed similar concerns, stating that the “Board of Peace” could be used beyond Gaza, with no set duration for its mandate.