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Possibly paving the way for the emergence of “new quad countries 2022”, the four foreign ministers of India, the United States, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates met for the first time to explore the possibilities of joint projects in the areas of transportation, technology, maritime security, economics, and trade, as well as to explore further joint projects.
India, Israel, UAE and US launched Quad forum and had their first meeting with their foreign ministers. They explored opportunities for joint infrastructure projects in transportation, technology, maritime security, economics, and trade, as well as a wide range of other collaborative projects. ET has learned that the ministers have agreed to create an international forum for economic cooperation to continue their first conversation. One of the grouping’s main focuses, said informed sources, is joint economic development. In this article, we will discuss the key points touched on during the recently announced quadrilateral meeting.
Overview
Yair Lapid, Israel’s prime minister and foreign minister alternate, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Nahyan, UAE’s foreign minister, attended the trilateral meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in October. On the occasion of S Jaishankar’s official visit to Israel, India’s External Affairs Minister and his Israeli counterpart met virtually with their US and UAE counterparts. India has already indicated a second meeting of the group is imminent.
During the first trilateral meeting between the United States, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates, the task of further operationalising and normalizing the Abraham Accords, signed by an Arab collective and Israel back in September 2020, was discussed. Additionally, they discussed the importance of normalizing the mutual relationship after decades of conflict, including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the nuclear deal with Iran that aimed to restore Tehran to a certain level of geopolitical maturity.
India joining the Gulf states’ grouping brings with it different geoeconomic and strategic interests. With a combined export of $250 billion in 2017, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc is India’s largest trading partner. In light of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s transition into a post-oil era, and other Gulf states joining in, the Indian market marks both an attractive investment opportunity and a potential oil consumer over the next decade.
Despite the presence of Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Iran as dominant power centres in the region, India has maintained an impressive geostrategic balance. Through the Abraham Accords, the UAE and Israel are now offering newer, comparatively risk-free economic growth prospects. The Iranian government is interested in easing tensions around these new realities as well. As a result, Tehran has very good relations with the UAE and is opening up a dialogue channel with Saudi Arabia.
New Quad 2022
There has been a trend for countries to cooperate on more efficient goals and initiatives over the past few years, known as minilateralism. Several successful minilateral groups have been formed over the years, including G20, ASEAN, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The Indian government has adapted to the concept of multiple minilateral groups by forming bilateral partnerships and agreements rather than membership in groups like these. As a result, we will be able to participate in significant geopolitical dialogues. As an example, the New Quad countries 2022 consist of members from the US, Australia, and Japan.
It was Israel and the United Arab Emirates who signed the Abraham Accords in 2020, which heavily benefited the United States. UAE opened its first embassies in Israel and signed MOUs with the country, paving the way for cultural exchanges and new embassy openings. It then seemed natural for these three countries to host a similar forum a year later. Despite its apparent oddity, India’s inclusion has many advantages. According to Jaishankar, India’s relations with these three countries are among its closest relationships.
India-Israel relations
The Embassy of Israel in Delhi was opened on February 1, 1992. In the same year, India opened its Embassy in Tel Aviv. The anniversary coincides with the soaring popularity of NSO’s Pegasus surveillance software, at a time when the partnership is under the spotlight. Governments must be approved by the Defence Export Control Agency of Israel in order for the company to sell licences to them.
Both Israeli security forces and Hamas were named as perpetrators of human rights abuses in Palestinian territory including the West Bank and Gaza in February 2021 by the International Criminal Court. PM Netanyahu also requested action from the Indian government, which does not recognize the ICC. But the Indian government did nothing.
India-Israel relations were once again at stake as Israelis were disappointed by India’s statement at the UNSC. It was not a thorn in the side of the relationship as both countries balance their long term interests with the fast-changing geopolitics of West Asia. It is likely both sides will hope that the Pegasus episode will also be short-lived without having major repercussions on India-Israel relations.
Conclusion
The project should be given additional impetus by India’s trade agreements with the UAE, Israel and the EU. Additionally, it could help to restructure supply chains and reduce international trade dependence on China through logistics support. As a result of the emergence of the “new quadrilateral”, India has gained tangible economic and political benefits in the short term, as well as the possibility of gaining strategic advantages if some of the pieces are in place.
