Discuss the significance of QUAD and I2U2 in India's foreign policy.

QUAD - I2U2 Members: India, India, Israel (I2) US, Australia, Japan, UAE, USA (U2) → Indo-Pacific rule based, freedom of navigation → Counter China threat in S.China sea and East Indian Ocean → Democracies → West Asian Quad is niche name due to similar objectives → Diborate China: new ban for example shows China's intent in the region and countering is important to ensure prosperity in the region → Mixed regimes make it a bit unconventional that these countries came together

US's Asia centered Indo-Pacific vision is the central feature of both QUAD and I2U2 Importance to India: → Strike QUAD, UAE and Israel are close allies to India as well. → US-UAE is the 2nd largest export destination of India's → Israel is a major defence partner of India. → Sovereign, as well as private investment in India. Hence I2U2 member are more deeply integrated in India's economic idiom. → Indian diaspora in US, UAE, are comprise almost 2/3rd of whole of expat population, hence this alliance can bring them under the same umbrella.

As a bridge between Indo-Japan-African growth corridor, I2U2 can improve our prospects it's bettering African relationship too. Reason: Better access to West Indian Ocean waters; Mauritius → Can counter growing Chinese interest in West Africa Ex: Iran and Africa Hence, But, → The inconvenience at SCOs and other Russia-China involved platform due to growing US-alliance can spell problem. → India's 'non-alignment' history is not in tune with security alignment; global perception may influence India to stay passive in this respect. More over, consistent efforts to assert the strategic autonomy and de-hyphenation using global fora like CRF can help in reap dividends from such alliances.

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