Four-nation grouping I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) was conceptualized during the meeting of foreign ministers of the four countries held on October 18, 2021. ‘I2’ standing for India and Israel and ‘U2’ represents the United States (US) and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Recent global events have given significantly more weight to ‘minilaterals’ such as I2U2.

The US has investment and a research and development infrastructure, Israel enjoys advantages in applied science and technology, the UAE is experimenting with competitive policies to attract and incubate start-ups, and India has human resources and talent at scale.

          It intends to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to help modernize infrastructure, and low carbon development pathways for industries, improve public health and promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies.

          The first Leaders’ Summit of I2U2  was held virtually on 14 July 2022 the grouping unveiled initiatives focused on food security and clean energy, including a $2-billion program to develop food parks across India and a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat.

The I2U2 group will also advance a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat consisting of 300 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar capacity, complemented by a battery energy storage system.

                The I2U2 leaders expressed their determination to leverage well-established markets to build more innovative, inclusive, and science-based solutions to enhance food security and sustainable food systems. The joint statement further said this unique grouping of countries aims to “harness the vibrancy of our societies and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle some of the greatest challenges confronting our world, with a particular focus on joint investments and new initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security”.

INDIA AND I2U2

Middle East region for India is  strategically significant because of its energy and economic interests and a large diaspora presence.

The group will encourage joint investments in six “mutually identified” nonsecurity areas: energy, food security, health, space, transportation, and water. The aim of the grouping is clearly to build more efficient cooperation in spheres where both regions can aid each other’s economic security. UAE investing US$ 2 billion to develop hi-tech integrated food parks across India, will not only bring a big technological boost to Indian agriculture through a potential UAE-Israel state and private sector cooperation,

Food security for the Gulf by design would go hand-in-hand with energy security for India. For India, it leverages its good relations with Israel, the Gulf, and the US alike to build economic exchanges that are mutually beneficial with next to no downsides on the horizon.