In new quadrilateral with US, Israel and UAE, EAM S Jaishankar discusses ways to expand economic, political cooperation

Jaishankar told Israeli FM Yair Lapid, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UAE's FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan that they are among the closest relationships India has, 'if not the closest'.

File Photo (Reuters)

Jerusalem/Washington: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a "fruitful" first quadrilateral meeting with his counterparts from the US, Israel and the UAE on ways to expand economic and political cooperation in the Middle East and Asia, including through trade, infrastructure and enhancing maritime security.

Jaishankar, who is currently on a five-day visit to Israel, was accompanied by the home nation's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, during the virtual meeting on Monday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated virtually as the four leaders also exchanged views on shared issues of concern in the region.

"A fruitful first meeting with Israeli APM and FM @YairLapid, UAE FM @ABZayed and US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this evening," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

"Discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues. Agreed on expeditious follow-up," he said.

A fruitful first meeting with Israeli APM and FM @YairLapid, UAE FM @ABZayed and US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this evening.

Discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues. Agreed on expeditious follow-up. pic.twitter.com/kVgFM0r6hs

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 18, 2021

Jaishankar, in his brief comment, said, "the three of you are among the closest relationships we have, if not the closest".

He agreed with Blinken that this kind of forum could work much better than three different bilateral engagements, citing the fight against COVID-19 as an example of the benefits of such cooperative mechanisms where bilateral ties tend to fail.

"I think it is very clear that on the big issues of our times we all think very similarly and what would be helpful would be if we could agree on some practical things to work upon," Jaishankar said.

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price in a statement said that Blinken and his three counterparts "discussed expanding economic and political cooperation" in the Middle East and Asia, including through trade, combating climate change, energy cooperation, and increasing maritime security.

The foreign ministers also discussed people-to-people ties in technology and science, and how to support global public health in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Blinken in a tweet said that the meeting discussed "shared issues of concern in the region and globally, and the importance of expanding our economic and political collaboration."

In his remarks, Blinken described Israel, the UAE and India as three of "our most strategic partners".

Today, I met with Israeli Foreign Minister @yairlapid, Indian Foreign Minister @DrSJaishankar, and Emirati Foreign Minister @ABZayed about shared issues of concern in the region and globally, and the importance of expanding our economic and political collaboration. pic.twitter.com/imEIM1Cv5d

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 18, 2021

He said by "bringing friends together in new ways, we are making these partnerships even greater than the sum of their parts".

"I think that is what this gathering is about. Sitting here in Washington I can say very simply that with Israel, the UAE and India we have three of our most strategic partners. And given so many overlapping interests -- energy, climate, trade, regional security -- this seems like a really interesting and good idea to try and use this new format and very complementary capabilities in very many areas to just see many more things get done. That's the idea," Blinken said.

Lapid, who is also Israel's Alternate Prime Minister, noted that "one of the things we are looking for is synergy, and that is what we will try and create after this meeting."

"Synergy which will help us work together in all the areas that preoccupies us. Around this table we have a unique set of capabilities, knowledge and experiences that can be used to create a network that we all want to create," Lapid said, adding it will help in working together on infrastructure, digital infrastructure, transport, maritime security and other things.

The Israeli leader felt that the key to achieving what they were aiming at was quickly moving from government-to-government to business-to-business.

He emphasised on the need for this quadrilateral grouping to quickly put adequate mechanisms in place to translate efforts into real businesses around the globe.

"We decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation and discussed possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in a wide range of fields," Lapid tweeted on Tuesday.

Last night, I participated in a virtual meeting with @SecBlinken, @DrSJaishankar, and @ABZayed. We decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation and discussed possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in a wide range of fields. pic.twitter.com/luDmR1NW4Q

—  (@yairlapid) October 19, 2021

According to a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the four ministers held a discussion on possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in the fields of transportation, technology, maritime security, and economics and trade, as well as for additional joint projects.

At the end of the conversation, it was decided that each minister will appoint senior-level professionals to a joint working group that will formulate options for cooperation in the areas identified by the ministers.

The intention is to hold an in-person meeting of the ministers in the coming months at Expo 2020 in Dubai, the statement said.

UAE's Al Nahyan thanked Blinken and Lapid for graciously "proposing the idea" of creating this kind of a forum to boost cooperation.

Talking about India, the UAE minister said, "Minister Jaishankar is an old friend, I could say, but also India and UAE have such a strong and diverse relationship."

Touching upon bureaucratic hurdles that often slow down such initiatives, Al Nahyan suggested businesses should be surprised by opportunities and then it should be observed how the trading community responds, in terms of putting a robust plan forward.

Later, the four foreign ministers entered a closed discussion to draw a strategy to make this quadrilateral cooperative plan a reality.

Price said that Blinken reiterated the Biden Administration's support for the Abraham Accords and normalisation agreements and discussed future opportunities for collaboration in the region and globally.

Reports have indicated a new quad post the Abraham accords being inked last year.

In August 2020, Israel, the UAE and the US signed Abraham Accords. The accord helped Israel and the UAE normalise their ties.

India had welcomed the agreement, saying it "has always supported peace and stability in West Asia which is our extended neighbourhood."

India and Israel elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in July 2017.

Visited the Indian Hospice renovated with Government of India's support. Represents another historical connect with Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/D7RW3YnPLg

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 18, 2021

Since then, the relationship between the two countries has focused on expanding knowledge-based partnership, which includes collaboration in innovation and research, including boosting the 'Make in India' initiative.