Subject: GS:02: International Relations 

News Source: The Print

Context: A new joint space venture was launched by the I2U2 group on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly session in New York. The US, Israel, the UAE and India are all also part of the Artemis Accords, accords.

I2U2: Empowering Environmental Solutions through Space Innovation”

• New joint space venture aims to create a unique space-based tool for policymakers, institutions, and entrepreneurs, enabling their work on environmental and climate change challenges.
• It focuses further on  cooperation in the applications of space data for the greater good of humanity.

About I2U2 group: Quad for Regional Economic Collaboration

• I2U2 stands for India, Israel, the UAE, and the US.
• It was also referred to as the ‘West Asian Quad’ 
• Aim: To discuss “common areas of mutual interest, to strengthen the economic partnership in trade and investment in respective regions and beyond”.
• Six core sectors for intervention include: water, energy, transportation, space, health and food security.
• Initially, this grouping was called the ‘International Forum for Economic Cooperation’.
• Strategic Importance:
  • The  I2U2 forum also serves as a platform to discuss strategic infrastructure projects in the Middle East as a counter to China’s increasing influence in the region.

Challenges Facing I2U2: Security Interests and Institutional Bottlenecks

• Security Interests: The first potential challenge for the I2U2 is that individual countries may give primacy to their own security interests, which may be in contrast to those of another.
  • For example, “Iranian rivalry is central to the US and Israeli outlook of West Asia,” while India and UAE might have a different perspective.
• Institutional bottlenecks:There could be lack of synergy in the working cultures of business people from the four countries, and accountability mechanisms may be vague.

I2U2’s Significance for Member Nations: India, Israel, UAE, and the United States

• 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.

Conclusion 

• I2U2 group’s joint space venture aligns with their broader economic collaboration efforts and supports environmental solutions. It also serves strategic purposes, such as countering Chinese influence, despite potential challenges in security interests and institutional coordination. This initiative showcases the dynamic intersection of economic and geopolitical interests among India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States.