The I2U2 Group is an inter-governmental economic cooperation forum, often referred to as the Middle Eastern Quad or Western Quad, and is a strategic partnership between India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States (US). The name is an abbreviation for the two 'I's and two 'U's.
The grouping was initially established as the "International Forum for Economic Cooperation" during a virtual ministerial call in October 2021. Its formation was catalyzed by the Abraham Accords of August 2020, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE, creating a conducive environment for wider regional cooperation. The first leaders' summit was held virtually on July 14, 2022, to promote economic development, scientific innovation, and regional stability by leveraging the unique strengths of the four nations.
The core mechanism of I2U2 is to encourage joint investments and mobilize private sector capital and expertise in six mutually identified areas: water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. Key initiatives include a $2 billion investment by the UAE to develop a series of integrated food parks across India and a hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat consisting of 300 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar capacity.
I2U2 is a minilateral initiative that connects to the broader geopolitical concept of the Indo-Abrahamic Alliance and is distinct from the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) as its focus is on economic and trade synergies rather than defense and security. A recent development was the announcement of a new joint space venture on September 21, 2023, which will use space-based observation data for environmental and climate change challenges. The core structure and six focus areas have remained consistent since the inaugural summit.