Abraham Accords
Context:
Recently, it marked 3 years since the signing of the Abraham Accords. These accords, established under the U.S. government, brought Israel, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain together. Morocco also joined this process in 2020 by signing a normalization agreement with Israel.
Relevance:
GS – 02 (Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests)
Prelims:
- Abraham Accords
Mains Question:
How have the Abraham Accords opened up opportunities for India and its diaspora in the region in promoting regional stability? (10 marks)
Dimensions of the Article:
- Transformative Regional Cooperation
- Socio-Cultural Bonds
- Economic Opportunities
- Benefits for India
Transformative Regional Cooperation:
- The essence of the Abraham Accords lies in their capacity to foster transformative regional cooperation.
- These accords signify a departure from the traditional status quo in West Asia, where hostilities and conflicts have long defined the landscape.
- The parties involved made a conscious decision to shift the narrative towards a more peaceful and cooperative future.
Socio-Cultural Bonds:
- One of the profound dimensions of the Abraham Accords is the way in which they have facilitated socio-cultural bonds among the peoples of these nations.
- Despite the diversity in language, religious beliefs, and cultures, the accords have sowed the seeds of understanding and unity among them.
- This is evident in the increased tourism and people-to-people interactions between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and even India.
Economic Opportunities:
- A notable consequence of these accords is the surge in economic opportunities, not only among the signatory nations but also extending to India.
- Trade between Israel and other West Asian countries has experienced a substantial 74% increase in a single year. Moreover, the tourism sector, previously dormant, has witnessed exponential growth.
Benefits for India:
- India, with its significant diaspora in the Gulf, has reaped substantial benefits from the Abraham Accords. Direct flights between the UAE and Israel, as well as Israel and Bahrain, have made travel more convenient for the Indian community in the region.
- Indian students, seeking international education opportunities, now enjoy improved access to universities abroad.
Way Forward:
- The Abraham Accords have set the stage for deeper regional and multinational cooperation, and India stands at the cusp of these unfolding opportunities.
- Collaboration in critical areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security, through initiatives like the I2U2 Group, offers a promising way forward.
Conclusion:
The Abraham Accords represent a beacon of hope and cooperation in a region that has too often been marred by instability and conflict. They serve as a testament to the power of unity and the capacity of nations to prioritize peace and collaboration. As Israel extends its hand in friendship to more nations, including India, the future of West Asia holds the promise of greater peace, prosperity, and unity, not just for this generation but for generations to come. Together, these nations can strive for a brighter tomorrow, ensuring a better world for all our children.
