Context: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a "fruitful" first quadrilateral meeting with his counterparts from the US, Israel, and the UAE on ways to expand economic and political cooperation in Asia, including through trade and enhancing maritime security.

• Jaishankar, on a five-day visit to Israel, was accompanied by the home nation's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, during the virtual meeting on Monday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated virtually as the four leaders also exchanged views on shared issues of concern in the region.

Key Points

• The newly announced quadrilateral meeting between India, Israel, the UAE and the U.S. is a forum for economic cooperation for the moment.
• The quadrilateral builds on ongoing cooperation between the U.S., Israel and the UAE after the Abraham Accords last year, and the India, Israel and UAE cooperation that was subsequently launched.
• Through this process, the Israeli government normalised relations with Morocco, Sudan and Bahrain.
• The grouping has decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation, and specifically discussed possibilities for joint infrastructure projects.
• Deepening of maritime cooperation, enhancing connectivity, transport and digital infrastructure topped the agenda of discussion.
• The ministers discussed expanding economic and political cooperation in the Middle East and Asia, including through trade, combating climate change, energy cooperation, increasing maritime security and ways to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
• However, the quadrilateral meeting did not discuss the issue of Palestine and resuming the “Middle East peace process”, although the Joe Biden administration has expressed support for a “two-state solution”, that is in line with India’s broader position.

What is its significance for India?

• India, the UAE and Israel have already enhanced trilateral cooperation, especially in trade and investment.
• Though India’s focus over the last few years has been the east, West Asia looms large on India’s horizon.
• It is the source of 60% of India’s oil and gas and the remittances from the large Indian Diaspora in the region is the largest contributor to India’s healthy foreign exchange reserves. India cannot afford to jeopardize either.
• Therefore, India must not only be engaged with this region but also ensure that regional stability and security is maintained.

What is the Indo-Abrahamic Accord and why it is important?

• Abraham Accords are a joint statement made between Israel, the United States and the United Arab Emirates on August 13, 2020. It also refers to the agreement reached between Israel, Bahrain and the UAE to normalise relations between them.
• Indo-Abrahamic Accord: Amidst the reshaping of geo-political order in West Asia, India’s relations with the UAE and Israel have gained momentum. This growing convergence of interest between India, UAE and Israel can be formalized under an official coalition i.e. an Indo-Abrahamic accord. The idea was first suggested by Mohammed Soliman, an Egyptian scholar.

What foreign policy India adopts in the Middle East?

• One of the gains of India’s foreign policy has been non-ideological engagement with middle-east. India’s close engagement with the USA over the last few years has also allowed alignment with the USA in the Middle East.
• The new minilateral consultation involving India-Israel-UAE-USA further cements India’s position in the Middle East. India knows that the USA is downsizing its forces in the Middle East. Therefore, this serves as a perfect opportunity for India.
• While this grouping may not be as powerful as QUAD, but it has opened doors of middle-east to India.

How the change in regime in the Middle East can help India?

• The new government in Israel is working towards resolving the conflict with Palestine. There is also an increase in economic and technological cooperation between Israel and the UAE. There is also a regime change in the USA. This all can help India to deepen its ties in the Middle East, as India can simultaneously build relations with the Middle Eastern countries.

Benefits of the new Quad

• According to the International Federation of Indo-Israeli Chambers of Commerce, India’s scale with Israeli innovation and Emirati capital could produce immense benefits to all three countries. Beyond trade, there is potential for India, UAE and Israel to collaborate on many areas — from semiconductor design and fabrication to space technology.
• First, India already built its soft power image in the Middle East. It has around 8 million diaspora present there. With the new alliance, India can use this platform to harness various opportunities like Big data, AI, Quantum computing, export its products in their market etc.
• Second, the group will help to focus on non-military issues like trade, energy, and environment and on promoting public goods.
• Third, the platform will help India to pursue wide-ranging minilateral partnerships in the region. With major powers like France, Russia, China is drawn to this region, the alliance will help India to shape its position in changing the geopolitics of this region.

Road Ahead

• India should also maintain its strong relations with Iran to keep a check on the Afghan Taliban. India needs a careful balancing act in the Middle East to secure its long-term strategic interests.
• India has many old and new partners in the region and it can now work with them in multiple formats and overlapping combinations. Meanwhile, there is much to be done in realising the full potential of the “Indo-Abrahamic Accords”.