SSB Future Officers

#INTERNATIONAL_INTERGOVERNMENTALORGANISATIONS #GD_Material

I2U2: The West Quad[1/2]

✓I2U2 is the new grouping formed by four nations- India, Israel, UAE, and the US. It was given the name International Forum for Economic Cooperation.

✓It is focused on expanding economic and political cooperation in the Middle East and Asia, including through trade, combating climate change, energy cooperation, and coordination on other vital shared interests.

✓The four-nation framework would foster support and cooperation in various domains like infrastructure, technology and maritime security.

✓The first virtual summit of I2U2 will focus heavily on the global food and energy crisis resulting from the conflict in Ukraine.

‼️What is the Background of I2U2 Grouping?

-Abraham Accords:

✓In September, 2020, Israel, UAE and Bahrain signed Abraham Accords brokered by the United States which has subsequently led to normalising of relations between Israel and a number of Arab Gulf countries.

✓I2U2 was initially formed in October, 2021 following the Abraham Accords, to deal with issues concerning maritime security, infrastructure and transport.

✓The aim was to harness the unique array of capabilities, knowledge and experience of all four nations which ultimately lead to the formation of I2U2.

‼️What can be the Prime Areas of Cooperation of I2U2?

-Security:

✓This will help the countries in exploring security cooperation among the four nations within the framework of these new groupings.

✓India already has a robust bilateral security cooperation with Israel, the US and the UAE.

-Technology:

✓Each of these countries is a technological hub Biotechnology is prominent in each of these countries as well.

✓Israel is called a Startup Nation already. India has been also developing a widening startup ecosystem of its own.

✓UAE also recognises that the future of the world economy is not going to be built around just hydrocarbons, oil and gas. It needs to work in the technology sector too.

✓In May this year, a project was commissioned in which Ecoppia, an Israeli company, would manufacture robotic solar cleaning technology in India, meant for a project in the UAE.

-Food Security:

✓Joint efforts by these four countries become crucial to tackle and reduce the consequences of food security and safety.

✓According to the 2020 report by 'The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World,' around 14 percent of India's total population is undernourished.

-Trade and Connectivity:

✓I2U2 can revitalise and re-energise the system of trade and commerce among the four countries.

✓After the US, UAE is the second-largest export destination of India.

-Connectivity:

✓I2U2 will boost India’s project along with UAE and Saudi Arabia to build a connectivity corridor that runs from India to the Arabian gulf across the Arabian peninsula to Israel, Jordan and from there to the European Union.

✓If this corridor is completed then India will be able to cut the cost of moving a container significantly (for instance from Mumbai to Greece by over 40%).

‼️What is the Significance of I2U2 for India?

-India’s West-Asian Policies:

✓Until now, India’s West Asian policies have largely insisted on keeping its bilateral relationships separate from each other.

✓This is the first step to bring those relationships with UAE and Israel together and merge them.

-Advantage from Abraham Accords:

✓India will get advantage of the Abraham Accords to deepen engagement with Israel without risking its ties with the UAE and the other Arab states.

-Benefit Market:

✓India is a massive consumer market. It’s a frontline producer of high-tech and highly sought-after goods as well that will attract investors from West Asia.

-Thrust to Geopolitical Presence:

✓I2U2 will boost India's geopolitical presence especially in West Asia and India will strategically and economically establish itself as a World player.

For more @ssbgeneraldiscussion

5.1K viewsAnkit, 19:04