Context:

• Recently, the I2U2, a grouping of India, Israel, UAE and the USA, discussed building “integrated agricultural facilities across India” at a meeting in Abu Dhabi.

Focus areas:

Agricultural Projects:

• The Agricultural project of $2 billion was announced by the four-power group last July after the first virtual summit.
• The Ministry of External Affairs had announced back then that the governments of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and other States expressed interest to participate in the agriculture project that would require acquisition of high-quality agriculture land.

Business:

• The I2U2 Business Forum brought together senior private and public sector representatives, creating opportunities for cooperation between the business communities of the four countries.

Environment:

• India joined the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate which was started by the UAE and the U.S. at COP-26 in an initiative that covers Israel and “140 other governmental and non-governmental entities”.

Background of I2U2 forum: 

• Following the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, I2U2 was founded in October 2021 to address marine security, infrastructure and transportation challenges in the region.
• It was known as the ‘’International Forum for Economic Cooperation’ at the time. At that time, UAE had referred to the new grouping as the ‘West Asian Quad’.

Significance of I2U2:

• For India: I2U2 bolsters India’s strategic engagement with West Asia and strengthens its robust bilateral relationships with the group members. 

• For Israel: For Israel, I2U2 is a continuation of the Abraham Accords and presents a new opportunity to build a wider economic and strategic partnership.

• For UAE: For the UAE, it will help solve global challenges such as those related to security in food, energy and water. And placing itself as the bridge between West Asia and South Asia.
• For the United States: This helps the US in checking the expanding Chinese footprint in the region, particularly in the fields of investment, innovation, and technology.

What makes this forum different?

      It’s not a single Cooperative or defense group, rather having multiple collaboration like:

• Economic cooperation
• Six core sectors for intervention: These are water, energy, transportation, space, health and food security.
• Investments: For private capital and technology, aiming to collaborate on joint investments, resource mobilization and new initiatives.
• Key global concerns: Food security and clean energy are its focus areas.

Conclusion

• I2U2 provides hope for more effective and mutually beneficial international cooperation, which is having an ocean of opportunities for India as well as the member groups.

 News Source: The Hindu