Recently, the Foreign Ministers of India, the US, Israel and the UAE concluded a virtual meeting. The meeting is a strong manifestation of the changes in West Asian geopolitics and formation of another Quad like grouping in the Middle East.
Context
Recently, the Foreign Ministers of India, the US, Israel and the UAE concluded a virtual meeting. The meeting is a strong manifestation of the changes in West Asian geopolitics and formation of another Quad like grouping in the Middle East.
Factors Responsible for New Grouping
- Abraham Accord: The new grouping could be possible after the resumption of the formal relationship between Israel and the UAE, via Abraham Accord.
- Tackling Turkish Regional Government: The new Quad could be cited as a result of shifting interests between India, the UAE, and Israel amid claims by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to support the Islamic world leadership.
- US Pivot to Asia: The US apparently wants to reduce its measures in the Middle East as part of its pivot to East Asia to tackle China's rise, re-creating the traditional balance of West Asia.
- In order to contain rising China’s assertiveness, the US under its ‘pivot to Asia policy’ has launched Quad initiative, Indo pacific narrative.
Significance for India
- Shift towards a regional approach: The four-nation summit suggests that India is now ready to move from bilateral relations to an integrated regional policy.
- India's Westward Shift: Much to the extent that "Indo-Pacific" has changed the way India thinks in the east, the idea of ??a "Greater Middle East" could provide greater fulfillment in India's integration with the expanded west.
- Tackling Pakistan: In addition, the new group is also driven by the growing tensions between Pakistan and Turkey and its separation from its traditionally strong supporters in the Arab Gulf - in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- Strengthening Relationships: Over the years, India has built good relations between all the countries in the new group.
- It is a member of Quad and the US, Australia and Japan, with similar concerns and interests shared in East Asia.
- Israel is one of India’s top defence suppliers.
- The UAE is vital to India's energy security and has hosted millions of Indian workers.
