I2U2 is a new grouping of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States that was formed in October 2021 to deepen economic cooperation and collaboration on various sectors such as water, energy, transportation, space, health and food security. The group held its first leaders summit on July 14, 2022, in which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated. The group announced some joint projects such as a $2 billion investment by the UAE to develop food parks across India and a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat.
The I2U2 grouping has the potential to transform India's position in global politics by enhancing its strategic partnerships with three key countries that share common interests and values with India. The I2U2 can help India diversify its sources of energy, technology, investment and trade, as well as leverage its strengths in sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, space and agriculture. The I2U2 can also provide a platform for India to engage with the Middle East and West Asia, regions that are vital for India's energy security, diaspora welfare and counter-terrorism cooperation. The I2U2 can also support India's role in the Indo-Pacific region by complementing the Quad grouping of India, Japan, Australia and the US that focuses on maritime security and democratic resilience .
However, the I2U2 grouping also faces some challenges and limitations that may constrain its impact on India's position in global politics. The I2U2 is still a nascent and informal grouping that lacks a clear institutional framework, agenda and vision. The I2U2 may also face resistance or skepticism from other regional actors such as China, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey that may perceive it as a threat to their interests or influence. The I2U2 may also have to balance its economic objectives with its political sensitivities, especially on issues such as human rights, democracy and regional conflicts. The I2U2 may also have to deal with the divergent views and priorities of its members on some global issues such as climate change, trade and multilateralism .
Therefore, I think that the I2U2 grouping can transform India's position in global politics by creating new opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with three important partners. However, the I2U2 grouping also needs to overcome some challenges and limitations by developing a more coherent and consistent framework, agenda and vision that can address the common interests and concerns of its members and other stakeholders.