I2U2 has a lot of potential but for that the US-Saudi ties need to get normalised
Beginning as the International Forum for Economic Cooperation during the foreign ministers’ meet of India, Israel, the UAE, and the US in October 2021, the grouping has graduated to I2U2 with strategic cooperation added to its mandate. It has even been termed the ‘West Asian Quad,’ the Quad is the strategic alliance between India, the US, Australia, and Japan. While the Quad is aimed at containing China—thus attracting Beijing’s criticism of it being ‘Asian Nato’—I2U2 is not so much intended to check the dragon. The UAE is indeed part of China’s notorious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Perhaps this is the reason that Beijing has not been critical of I2U2—so far. Analysts in the US, however, are of the view that Washington regards I2U2 as an alliance to counter China’s influence in not just the Middle East but also Asia. In I2U2, Israel sees an opportunity to resist Iran. Also, the new grouping bolsters the Abraham Accords involving Israel, the US, and several Arab nations. Commenting on I2U2, Israel’s former National Security Adviser, Maj Gen Yaakov Amidror, said, “India can also help to enhance and expand the scope of Abraham Accords bringing in new countries.” He told PTI that India’s partnership in I2U2 can prove to be a “game changer.” It also allows India to improve political ties with the UAE which was one of the Arab nations that were incensed with Nupur Sharma’s remarks on the Prophet Muhammad.However, India’s gains will mostly be in the economic sphere. As a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said, “I2U2 is aimed to encourage joint investments in six mutually identified areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. It intends to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to help modernize the infrastructure, low carbon development pathways for our industries, improve public health, and promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies.” All these expectations can come true if there is resolve. At this point, however, the US seems more focused on its ties with Saudi Arabia than promoting I2U2. President Joseph Biden did participate in the virtual meeting, but he, his administration, and the American media appeared to be more interested in his interaction with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The relations between the two leaders have been frosty over, among other things, the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi was a critic of MBS. He has been accused of ordering the killing. This didn’t bother Donald Trump but Biden, whose Democratic Party is now under Leftist influence, couldn’t afford to be seen as cordial with MBS. Biden raised the Khashoggi issue, angered the Saudis, and thus failed in his objective of normalizing ties with the oil-rich nation. One hopes that friction between the US and Saudi Arabia doesn’t cast its shadow on I2U2.