US, UAE, India and Israel hold first I2U2 summit

US, UAE, India and Israel hold first I2U2 summit
July 14, 2022, 6:11 pm

US President Joe Biden, right, and Israel’s caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid take part in a virtual meeting with leaders from the UAE and India on July 14, 2022. (AFP)

The Arabnews reported, the leaders of the United States, India, Israel and the United Arab Emirates on (July 14) Thursday held their first virtual summit as part of a new initiative under the banner of I2U2, a collection of countries that have pledged greater collaboration.

According to Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, the idea was hatched last year in Washington, at the home of the UAE ambassador.

“We sat around the table and spoke about how, after we get control over the pandemic, anyone trying to go back to how things used to be would fail,” Lapid said. “Anyone who understands that we live in a new world with new challenges would succeed and flourish.”

He added that, “In the 21st century, challenges are local, but the solutions are global.”

“I also hope that our quartet will be a model for those who desire peace and prosperity,” until UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said in his opening remarks.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi (L to R), meeting in Jordan's Red Sea resort of Aqabah on March 25, 2022. (AFP)

In a joint statement the UAE pledged to finance a $2 billion agricultural project in India, with potential help from US and Israeli companies to lend their expertise that will help maximize crop yields.

The idea is to bring farmers, processors and retailers together in one place using the latest climate technology to minimise waste, conserve water and maximise crop yields.

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The countries said in a statement, the four countries would also advance renewable energy projects in India.

“The more we work together, the more we’ll see the benefits multiply and grow to advance our shared commitment to peace, stability and growing prosperity,” US president Biden said. “They all go together.”

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Russia’s attack on Ukraine caused widespread food and energy crises, Biden said, in calling for a collective cooperation in the face of global challenges.

According to a joint statement from the group, the four countries also vowed to invest in water, energy, space and food.

Source: arabnews

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