New Minilateral Groupings: I2U2, AUKUS, DAKSHIN

8.1 I2U2 Group

I2U2 = India + Israel + UAE + USA

Genesis and Context

I2U2 was announced in October 2021 following the Abraham Accords (2020) — UAE and Bahrain normalising relations with Israel — which created a new geopolitical geometry enabling Arab-Israeli cooperation.

The first I2U2 Leaders' Summit was held virtually on 14 July 2022 — PM Modi, President Biden, Israeli PM Yair Lapid, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed.

Six focus areas: Water, Energy, Transportation, Space, Health, and Food Security.

First Major Outcome

UAE committed to invest $2 billion in building food parks in India using Israeli agri-technology (precision farming, drip irrigation, desert agriculture); US provided technical assistance.

Strategic Significance

• Unique multilateral convergence: India (South Asia), Israel (Middle East), UAE (Gulf), USA (West)
• Abraham Accords created the diplomatic space for Arab-Israeli cooperation
• India as an economic bridge between Israel-UAE and global supply chains
• Covers corridor: India → UAE → Israel → Jordan → Europe (aligns with IMEC vision)
• Counterbalances China's growing Gulf influence

8.2 AUKUS

AUKUS = Australia + United Kingdom + USA

AUKUS was announced on 15 September 2021 in a joint statement by US President Biden, UK PM Boris Johnson, and Australian PM Scott Morrison. The core commitment was to replace Australia's French diesel submarine contract (€56 billion — France called it a "stab in the back") with nuclear-powered submarines.

Two Pillars of AUKUS

Pillar I — Nuclear-powered Submarines (SSNs): A 3-phase plan:

• Phase 1 (2023–2027): Increased US and UK submarine visits to Australia; training Australian submariners
• Phase 2 (2027–2032): US Virginia-class submarines based at Stirling (HMAS Stirling, Perth); Australia purchases up to 5 Virginia-class SSNs
• Phase 3 (2035+): SSN-AUKUS — a new class of nuclear-powered (not nuclear-armed) submarine designed by UK with Australian input; UK builds for itself; Australia builds domestically

Pillar II — Advanced Technology: AI, autonomous systems, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, hypersonic missiles, undersea capabilities, electronic warfare.

Geopolitical Context

• China condemned AUKUS as "stoking arms race" and "Cold War mentality"
• France withdrew ambassadors from US and Australia (unprecedented — but later reconciled)
• AUKUS + QUAD together represent an emerging Indo-Pacific security architecture centred on deterrence of Chinese military power
• India is not a member but benefits from AUKUS-driven containment of Chinese naval power

8.3 DAKSHIN

DAKSHIN (Development and Action in Knowledge Sharing and Humanitarian Interaction Network — full form varies across sources) is India's initiative for Global South cooperation, announced in 2023 during India's G20 Presidency.

Context and Focus

India convened the Voice of the Global South Summit (January 2023, virtual) with 125 developing countries to aggregate their concerns for India's G20 agenda. This led to the DAKSHIN concept.

Focus areas:

• Technology sharing and knowledge transfer
• Capacity building
• Digital public infrastructure
• Climate adaptation finance for developing nations

India's Role and DAKSHIN vs Cold War NAM

India positions itself as a "Vishwamitra" (friend of the world) — a bridge between the developed North and developing South. This is distinct from Cold War non-alignment.

• Cold War NAM: Neutrality and non-participation
• DAKSHIN: Active engagement and development leadership for the Global South

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