I2U2, the newest
grouping on the geopolitical block, sits for its first summit, to be held
online, on Friday, July 14. The two Is in I2U2 stand for India and Israel while
the two Us stand for the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in attendance at Thursday’s summit,
as will Israel PM Yair Lapid, US President Joe Biden and UAE President Mohammed
bin Zayed al-Nahyen.

Since conceptualisation
of I2U2 in October 2021, the grouping as often been referred to as ‘West Asian
Quad’. The Quad is a conglomeration of four countries – India, Japan, Australia
and the United States – with its primary motive being maritime security. China
often calls Quad the ‘Asian NATO’.

What’s the
purpose of I2U2?

The I2U2 is a
four-nation block created to encourage investments in six areas: water, energy,
transportation, space, health and food security. “It (I2U2) intends to mobilize
private sector capital and expertise to modernise the infrastructure, low carbon
development pathways for our industries, improve public health and promote the
development of critical, emerging and green technologies,” according to India’s
Ministry of External Affairs.

What’s India’s
perspective on I2U2?

For India, I2U2 is
an opportunity to engage with Israel after the Abraham Accords without risking
its relations with Arab nations on the Persian Gulf. The Abraham Accords constitutes
a joint declaration by Israel, UAE and the United States on normalisation of
relations. UAE was the first nation to “normalise” relations with Israel after
Jordan in 1994.

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Those who view
I2U2 as the ‘west Asian Quad’, believe the purpose of I2U2 will be to counter
China’s bid to expand geo-economic influence in the region. However, India is
likely to stay away from any security cooperation so as to avoid straining its
ties with Iran.

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The leaders of India,
Israel, UAE and US are likely to discuss joint projects within the I2U2
framework as well as common areas of mutual interest to strengthen economic
partnership in trade and investment.