New York [US]/New Delhi [India], September 22: When the world leaders were busy in diplomacy at UNGA, the I2U2 Sherpas were taking stock of the projects identified under I2U2. Similarly, far from the UNGA venue (New York), UAE’s Ambassador to India – Dr. Ahmed Al Banna was also trying to set the right coordinates for I2U2 through media engagement in New Delhi. Like Sherpas and other world leaders, he too was very excited and hopeful.
In New York, Sherpas of four countries of the I2U2 grouping consisting of India, Israel, UAE and the USA held a meeting on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly and expressed their commitment to deepening the economic partnership.
In the Sherpas meeting, India was represented by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER), Ministry of External Affairs; US side by Jose W. Fernandez, US Under Secretary of State; Israeli side by Alon Ushpiz, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel; and UAE side by Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, United Arab Emirates.
As per agreement, India will provide land, and the UAE will invest US$ 2 billion in the project. With expertise from the US and Israeli private sectors, the food parks will help “maximise crop yields which, in turn, will help tackle food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East.”
Similarly, UAE’s Ambassador to India – Dr. Ahmed Al Banna asserted his confidence in I2U2 cooperative framework and it’s commitment towards six identified areas of partnership. He was speaking in an exclusive talk show in New Delhi.
In a special talk show “INs & OUTs With Sid” for WNN, Dr. Ahmed Al Banna said that the cooperative framework of I2U2 is a good model for practical cooperation in the face of increasing global uncertainties.
Although the I2U2 lacks a military angle and focuses on the economy, energy and food security issues which emerged due to the Ukraine-Russian conflict.
In his exclusive interview, Dr. Ahmed Al Banna also touched the key areas of cooperation agreed under I2U2. In a reply to the question on India’s benefit as a member of I2U2, UAE Ambassador said, “I2U2 will open a window for India to play a greater global role with an enhanced profile in West Asia. It will also provide a new avenue to expand its cooperation beyond the Indo-Pacific without sacrificing New Delhi’s strategic autonomy. It could also deepen ties with the Middle East, a strategically important region due to India’s energy and economic interests.”
He also touched the most talked issue on Israel -UAE relationship. On the relationship with Israel, UAE ambassador Dr. Ahmed Al Banna defended by saying that UAE believes in peaceful negotiations and cooperation to build a sustainable and strong ecosystem.
Dr. Al Banna said, “we believe in good relation with everyone. Since Abraham Accord has been signed, we are growing with the support of each other.”
In fact, for Israel- I2U2 is another avenue to bolster its opposition to Iran and strengthen the landmark diplomatic pact that it signed with the UAE in 2020, known as the Abraham Accords. The pact led to Israel normalising diplomatic ties with the UAE and two other countries in the region.
Similarly, the Abraham Accord, the Negev Forum, and now the I2U2 give the UAE also an advantage in the Persian Gulf. Such developments has improved Israel’s relationship with the Arab world and also enhanced India’s role in the region’s geopolitics.
On the other-side, the I2U2 has also revitalised the US alliance system in the Middle East and further secured its position in the Indo-Pacific region.
Therefore, the inclusion of India into the I2U2 is being seen as a welcome move which strengthened India’s position in West Asia; While on the other hand, the US viewed India as a strategic, reliable and development partner needed in West Asia.
In a larger perspective of changing geopolitics, Indeed I2U2 has pushed regional powers like Israel and outside powers like India and the US to secure their geo-strategic concerns.
Ambassador of UAE, Dr. Al Banna also believes that the membership of the I2U2 group suits India and UAE in many ways. He said, “It boosts the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed last February between India and the UAE, which is the highest contributor of Foreign Direct Investment to India from the Gulf region.”
The CEPA is expected to increase the value of bilateral trade to US$ 100 billion in five years. UAE is also home to 35 lakh Indians, roughly a third of the country’s population, and a major source of labour.”
After all, I2U2 is a winner for India at the diplomatic level too. The I2U2 gives India political, economic and social advantages; it will assist India to deepen its relationship with the Arab countries and Israel.
Over the years, India always maintained a safe distance from the Middle East geopolitics to ensure its bilateral relationship with West Asian countries remains secure. Being an odd one, under the I2U2, it allows India to engage deeply in West Asia’s geo-economics and strengthen its trade relations with the Middle East countries.
Similarly for the I2U2, India is a valuable market because of its massive consumer market and availability of production facilities for high-tech and highly sought-after goods. After QUAD, India’s inclusion in the I2U2 strengthens its global position. Such developments align India with other major powers like Russia, Europe and China to address its national and regional concerns strategically.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD)
Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
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