'Identified joint projects in various sectors': PM Narendra Modi at first-ever I2U2 virtual summit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the first-ever I2U2 virtual summit on Thursday along with US President Joe Biden, Israeli PM Yair Lapid, and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Speaking at the summit, PM Modi said,"From this very first summit, I2U2 has established a positive agenda. We have identified joint projects in various sectors and prepared a roadmap to go ahead."

During the summit, the leaders discussed joint economic projects to bolster economic cooperation under the framework of the coalition. The grouping is known as 'I2U2' with "I" standing for India and Israel and "U" for the US and the UAE.

"On July 14, 2022, we, the Heads of Government of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States, convened for the first leaders' meeting of the "I2U2" Group. This unique grouping of countries aims to harness the vibrancy of our societies and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle some of the greatest challenges confronting our world, with a particular focus on joint investments and new initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security," said a joint statement released by the White House.

Today's inaugural I2U2 meeting focused on the food security crisis and clean energy. The leaders discussed innovative ways to ensure longer-term, more diversified food production and food delivery systems that can better manage global food shocks.

According to the MEA, the I2U2 Grouping was conceptualised during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the four countries held on October 18 last year. "Each country also has Sherpa-level interactions regularly to discuss the possible areas of cooperation," it said.

The I2U2 intends to mobilise private sector capital and expertise to help modernize the infrastructure, low carbon development pathways for our industries, improve public health, and promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies.