I2U2 Initiative
Subject- IR
Source- The Hindu
Reference
- The U.S. believes that ‘I2U2’, a group comprising India, Israel, the U.S., and the UAE, can become “a feature” of the West Asian region, just like the Quad is for the Indo-Pacific.
About I2U2 Initiative
- The new I2U2 grouping of India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. will hold its first virtual summit as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to re-energize and revitalize American alliances across the world.
- In the grouping’s name, ‘I2’ stands for India and Israel, whereas ‘U2’ stands for the USA and the UAE.
- 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.
Significance of I2U2
- The meeting of the I2U2 leaders is seen as one of the major dividends of the Abraham Accords.
- Under this accord, the ties between UAE and Israel were normalized.
- In fact, UAE was one of the first countries in the Persian Gulf to normalize its relations with Israel.
- India already enjoys a good, strong relationship with both UAE and Israel in West Asia.
- It empowers partners and encourages them to work more closely together.
- The US regards India as a big consumer market as well as a massive producer of high-tech and highly sought-after goods.