How the I2U2 forum came to be thanks to the Abraham Accords

 How the I2U2 forum came to be thanks to the Abraham Accords

The I2U2 forum has the ability to bring together the individual capabilities of the four nations, such as Israel's scientific prowess, India's manufacturing base, the UAE's sovereign wealth funds, and the US's geopolitical clout. In addition, India's connection with West Asia will support US efforts to offset China's considerable influence.

When the Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar visited Israel in October 2021, the foreign ministers of the "I2U2" virtually met during that trip. The focus of the discussions had been on strengthening business connections, collaborating to ensure marine security in the area, coordinating initiatives for global public health, and working together on infrastructure projects.

The I2U2 website was recently launched, as stated by India, the UAE, Israel, and the USA. The four nations that make up the I2U2 forum—Israel, India, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates—then made another statement, announcing that they will begin a collaborative space program.  The announcement's timing on the third anniversary of the Abraham Accords, which Israel and the UAE signed to normalize their relations, is not surprising.

Conflicts diminish when synergies emerge

Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords on September 15, 2020, under US mediation. The UAE was the first member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, opening the door for other Arab nations like Morocco and Bahrain to do the same.

But India has also benefited from the agreements, opening the door for trilateral collaboration between India, Israel, and the UAE. India and Israel and the UAE have strong, positive ties. India is a strategic and the UAE's second-largest trading partner. Both nations have ratified the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and India and Israel have strong bilateral connections that extend from defense to agricultural cooperation.

Both nations are pursuing a free trade deal and have estimated trade turnover of $7.5 billion. Trilateral cooperation is now possible for India thanks to the treaties. The first trilateral deal between India, Israel, and the UAE was struck in the same year, under which the Israeli business Ecoppia will manufacture cutting-edge robotic solar cleaning technology in India for a significant UAE project. India serves as the company's primary production hub.

Israel, the UAE, and India also formed a defense alliance in 2021. The Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are apparently supported by Iran, launched a series of strikes on the UAE, prompting the UAE to set up at least two Barak air defense systems on its own.  The system is being developed jointly by Elta and Rafael, two Israeli defense companies, and India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It has a shooting range of 50 to 70 kilometers and can shoot down hostile aircraft at both low and high altitudes. Due to the approximately 7 million Indian expatriate workers in the region, India has a significant investment in the security of the Gulf. Recall that two Indians died in the drone strike on Abu Dhabi in January 2022.

Gain For All Parties

With Israel's technology, the UAE's one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, and India's robust industrial base, trilateral cooperation benefits all parties on all fronts, whether it be in the areas of trade, economics, or defense. This would complement the "Made in India" agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with exchanging intelligence, the three nations also collaborate in the areas of defense, counterterrorism, and security.

The I2U2 forum—also known as the "Middle Eastern Quad"—was further spawned by the Abraham Accords. When the Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar visited Israel in October 2021, the foreign ministers of the "I2U2" virtually met during that trip. The focus of the discussions had been on strengthening business connections, collaborating to ensure marine security in the area, coordinating initiatives for global public health, and working together on infrastructure projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, and UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan officially established the forum at a virtual summit conducted by the leaders of the four nations in July 2022. The UAE pledged $2 billion towards the establishment of food parks in India, leveraging India's ability for food production, with the support of Israeli and US agritech, clean tech, renewable energies, and know-how. This led to an immediate conclusion of an India-Middle East food corridor.

The forum is primarily focused on fostering economic and trade cooperation as a result of the interruptions brought on by COVID-19 and the current situation in Ukraine. The I2U2 held its first business forum in Abu Dhabi in February of this year, bringing together representatives from the public and commercial sectors to find collaborative initiatives and business opportunities. The group's website, which was introduced during the I2U2 High Officials Meeting in fresh York, intends to empower entrepreneurs and investors while luring fresh investment projects under its purview.

China and I2U2

However, there is also a geopolitical context. The US has also launched the I2U2 principally to fight China's expanding Middle East footprint at the exact same time that it is withdrawing from the region and shifting its focus to the Asia-Pacific to counter Chinese predominance there.

The India-Middle East-Europe commerce corridor has been proposed in part because of this as well. Israel and the UAE have strong ties with China.

However, India's connection with West Asia will assist counterbalance China's influence.  Regardless of how the US will interact with West Asia in the future, India's continuous integration will guarantee that Israel, the UAE, and India will continue to converge and engage in mutually beneficial ways.