DAW 4th March 2026, Mains Answer Writting 2027

DAW 4th March 2026, Mains Answer Writting 2027

Question

How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (10 marks).

Model Answer

Approach:

  • Introduction (2–3 lines)

  • Briefly define I2U2 as a mini-lateral grouping of India, Israel, UAE and the USA launched in 2022, focusing on geoeconomic cooperation and joint investments in various sectors.

  • Mention that it reflects the growing trend of issue-based minilateral partnerships in global politics.

  • Body

  • Explain how I2U2 can enhance India’s global position through stronger engagement with West Asia, geoeconomic cooperation, technology partnerships, food and energy security, and multi-alignment diplomacy.

  • Also briefly highlight key challenges such as geopolitical divergences, lack of institutionalisation, and implementation constraints followed by a way forward.

  • Conclusion

  • Conclude by noting that with greater institutionalisation, regular coordination and stronger public–private partnerships, I2U2 can become an effective platform for addressing global challenges and strengthening India’s strategic and economic influence in the emerging world order.

Introduction The I2U2 Group (India, Israel, UAE, United States) is a mini-lateral strategic partnership launched at the first leaders’ summit on 14 July 2022. The grouping focuses on geoeconomic cooperation and joint investments in sectors such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, food security, and technology, while mobilising private sector capital and expertise to address global challenges. Body Context and Nature of the Grouping

  • With recent visit of PM Modi to Israel, I2U2 grouping has resurfaced as part of a broader push to deepen economic and strategic cooperation with Israel and key Middle Eastern partners

  • It represents a new paradigm of minilateralism, where small groups of like-minded countries collaborate on specific economic and technological issues rather than broad security alliances.

  • The grouping combines the comparative advantages of the members:

  • India – large market, skilled human resources and manufacturing base

  • Israel – advanced technological expertise

  • UAE – investment capital and connectivity hub

  • USA – global influence, finance and innovation ecosystem

How I2U2 Can Transform India’s Position in Global Politics

  • Strengthening India’s Strategic Role in West Asia

  • The grouping enhances India’s renewed strategic engagement with West Asia, a region crucial for energy security, trade, and diaspora welfare.

  • It allows India to work simultaneously with Israel and key Gulf partners such as the UAE, reflecting the de-hyphenation of India’s West Asia policy after the Abraham Accords (2020).

  • Positioning India as a Key Node in Global Geoeconomics

  • Unlike traditional security alliances, I2U2 emphasises economic cooperation and infrastructure development.

  • It seeks to mobilise private capital to modernise infrastructure, develop low-carbon industries, and strengthen supply chains, thereby integrating India deeper into global economic networks.

  • Enhancing India’s Food Security and Agricultural Value Chains

  • A flagship initiative involves a US$2 billion UAE investment in integrated food parks in India.

  • These parks will incorporate climate-smart technologies, renewable energy and efficient logistics, improving agricultural productivity and creating new food supply chains linking South Asia and the Middle East.

  • This strengthens India’s position as a major agri-export hub.

  • Advancing India’s Clean Energy Transition

  • The grouping plans a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat combining solar, wind and battery storage systems.

  • Such initiatives support India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, while positioning India as a global hub for renewable energy supply chains.

  • Strengthening India’s Technological and Innovation Ecosystem

  • Cooperation in space applications, artificial intelligence, water management and climate technologies can enhance India’s technological capabilities.

  • For example, the countries aim to create space-based tools using satellite data to address environmental and climate challenges.

  • Promoting Private Sector–Driven Global Partnerships

  • I2U2 actively integrates business communities and startups, demonstrated by the creation of the I2U2 Business Coalition (2023) and public-private partnerships.

  • This aligns with India’s goals of Make in India, startup promotion and technology innovation.

  • Expanding India’s Diplomatic Influence through Minilateralism

  • I2U2 reflects India’s broader strategy of multi-alignment, where it participates in multiple flexible coalitions such as:

  • Quad in the Indo-Pacific

  • SCO in Eurasia

  • I2U2 in West Asia

  • Such platforms increase India’s diplomatic leverage and global leadership profile.

Challenges and Limitations

  • Divergent Geopolitical Priorities

  • Although the four countries share economic interests, their strategic outlooks on key regional issues differ.

  • For instance, the United States and Israel view Iran as a major security challenge, while India and the UAE maintain pragmatic economic and diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

  • Similarly, members have varying levels of engagement with China, which may affect strategic coherence within the grouping.

  • Lack of Institutional Depth

  • I2U2 is currently an informal and project-driven minilateral arrangement, without a permanent secretariat or structured decision-making mechanisms.

  • The absence of strong institutional architecture may affect policy continuity, coordination, and long-term implementation of initiatives.

  • Regional Political Sensitivities

  • India must carefully balance its participation in I2U2 with its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and its broader engagement with other West Asian powers such as Iran and Saudi Arabia.

  • Managing these diplomatic sensitivities is essential to maintain India’s strategic autonomy and credibility in the region.

  • Implementation and Coordination Challenges

  • Many initiatives under I2U2 rely on public–private partnerships and cross-border investments, requiring coordination among governments, businesses, and financial institutions.

  • Differences in regulatory frameworks, investment environments, and administrative procedures may slow the pace of project execution.

Conclusion

I2U2 reflects a new form of development-oriented minilateral cooperation combining India’s market, Israel’s technology, UAE’s capital, and the U.S.’s global influence. With greater institutionalisation, regular meetings, and sectoral task forces, the grouping can become an effective platform for addressing global challenges and enhancing India’s strategic role in global politics.