New Delhi: Food security and clean energy were in focus as the four leaders of the ‘I2U2’ grouping issued a joint statement on Thursday in which they discussed innovative ways to ensure longer-term, more diversified food production and food delivery systems.The I2U2 (India, Israel, the US and UAE) grouping has established a “positive agenda” and its framework is a good model for practical cooperation in the face of increasing global uncertainties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the first summit of the coalition.Two initiatives were highlighted in the joint statement, with the UAE investing $2 billion to develop a series of integrated food parks across India, while the group will advance a “hybrid renewable energy project” in Gujarat consisting of 300 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar capacity.With US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan listening, Modi – who attended the summit virtually – said the grouping would make an important contribution in areas of energy security, food security and economic growth.“We have identified joint projects in many areas, and have also prepared a roadmap to move forward in them,” he said in his televised address. “We have agreed to increase joint investment in six critical areas of water, energy, transportation, space, health and food security under the I2U2 framework,” Modi added.He said the cooperative framework of the grouping is a good model for practical cooperation in the midst of increasing global uncertainties. “It is clear that the vision and agenda of I2U2 is progressive and practical.”“By mobilising the mutual strengths of our countries – capital, expertise and markets – we can accelerate our agenda, and contribute significantly to the global economy,” Modi said.“I am confident that with I2U2, we will make a significant contribution towards energy security, food security and economic growth at the global level,” he added.UAE investment, renewable energy projectThe United Arab Emirates will invest $2 billion to develop a series of integrated food parks across India under the framework of the four-nation grouping.“India will provide appropriate land for the project and will facilitate farmers’ integration into the food parks. The US and Israeli private sectors will be invited to lend their expertise and offer innovative solutions that contribute to the overall sustainability of the project,” the joint statement said.It said the investments will help maximise crop yields and, in turn, help tackle food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East.The statement also said the I2U2 group will advance hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat consisting of 300 megawatts of wind and solar capacity. The leaders also expressed determination to leverage well-established markets to build more innovative, inclusive, and science-based solutions to enhance food security.The statement said the I2U2 aims to harness the vibrancy of our societies and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle some of the greatest challenges confronting our world.The I2U2 grouping was conceptualised during the meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries held on October 18 last year.The statement said “these are only the first steps in a long-term strategic partnership to promote initiatives and investments that improve the movement of people and goods across hemispheres, and increase sustainability and resilience through collaborative science and technology partnerships”.
