I2U2: Partnership for the Future or Prisoner of the Past?

In partnership with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

The leaders of a new quadrilateral forum comprising India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States – I2U2 – gathered virtually for the first time July 14 at a meeting that emphasized cooperation on joint investments and new initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. I2U2, which first convened in October 2021 with a virtual meeting of foreign ministers, appears to be gaining momentum.

What has led to I2U2’s emergence? Does it have a unifying cause that will make it sustainable? What are each member country’s motivations for advancing this bloc? How have the Abraham Accords laid ground for such groupings? Does the United States see I2U2 as an entity to counter China’s and Iran’s influence? Or is the bloc meant to help the United States expand ties with India while reframing Washington’s relations with its Middle East partners? Does India’s participation indicate a more involved role for New Delhi in the Middle East? Is there scope for more minilateral arrangements, like that of I2U2, involving other Asian and Gulf Arab countries?

AGSIW, the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies hosted a discussion looking at these questions and more.

The views represented herein are the author's or speaker's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of AGSI, its staff, or its board of directors.