I2U2
Also called: West Asian Quad, India-Israel-UAE-USA grouping · Topic: India and her Neighbours · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
I2U2 is a small group of four countries: India, Israel, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and the USA. The name is shorthand: "I2" stands for India and Israel, and "U2" for the USA and the UAE. It is a minilateral grouping, meaning a few countries working together on a narrow set of goals instead of a big global body. Its members put money and technology into joint projects in six areas: water, energy, transport, space, health and food security. People sometimes call it the "West Asian Quad". It matters to India because it links India to West Asia through business projects, not military alliances. Its progress depends on stable governments in its member countries, especially Israel.
Example
The UAE has announced investment in integrated food parks in India, which would use Israeli and US farm technology to grow and process food. The parks would help India's farmers and supply food to the Gulf. A hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat, using wind and solar power together, is another I2U2 project.
Don't confuse with
- Quad: The Quad is India, the USA, Japan and Australia, and it focuses on the Indo-Pacific. I2U2 focuses on West Asia and swaps Japan and Australia for Israel and the UAE.
- IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor): IMEC is a trade route that links India to Europe by sea, rail and ports, including Haifa in Israel. I2U2 is a group of countries, not a route.