Daily News - Wednesday, 29 April 2026
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Meets Indian External Affairs Minister in UN80 Reform Talks (Indian Express)
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Annalena Baerbock met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, warning that the UN, multilateralism, and international law are under direct attack. Baerbock criticized US President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, questioning how a framework requiring nations to pay a joining fee could guarantee global security, and reaffirmed the UN’s legitimacy as the only universal peace forum. She stressed that every country, regardless of size or wealth, must have a seat at the table, underscoring the principle of equality in global governance. Jaishankar highlighted India’s priorities: UN80 reforms, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), artificial intelligence governance, and the West Asia conflict, noting that reformed multilateralism must reflect today’s geopolitical realities and the voice of the Global South. The meeting also touched on India’s broader diplomatic agenda under the Ministry of External Affairs, including its push for inclusive representation in multilateral institutions. This exchange signals India’s resistance to parallel institutions that could undermine the UN, while positioning itself as a champion of reform and inclusivity in global governance.
India-China Review Military Cooperation, Counterterrorism and Supply Chain Security at SCO Defence Ministers’ Meet (Reuters)
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kyrgyzstan, where they discussed regional security and defence engagement. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where India has deployed over 60,000 troops under the Ministry of Defence to counter Chinese military build-up. Singh emphasized India’s commitment to peace and stability in South Asia, while reiterating the need for confidence building measures and dialogue mechanisms. Dong Jun highlighted China’s interest in maintaining regional security cooperation within SCO, which represents nearly 40% of the world’s population and USD $23 trillion (INR ₹191 lakh crore) in combined GDP. The SCO defence ministers also reviewed joint military exercises, counterterrorism frameworks, and supply chain resilience, with India pushing for transparent communication channels to avoid escalation. This bilateral engagement underscores India’s balancing act strengthening ties with SCO partners while safeguarding national security interests.
UAE Quits OPEC, India Sees Opportunity to Source More Crude (mint)
On April 28, 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it will exit the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) effective May 1, 2026, a move that could reshape global oil markets. OPEC currently supplies around 40% of India’s crude oil needs, while the UAE alone accounts for 10% of India’s total oil imports, under oversight of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. India which imports 90% of its oil requirement, has long urged OPEC to raise production to ensure affordability and energy security. Experts believe the UAE’s decision will weaken OPEC’s control over prices, giving India the world’s third-largest oil consumer, greater flexibility to negotiate bilateral crude deals and diversify supply chains. The UAE Energy Ministry stated the move aligns with its long-term strategic vision, including accelerating domestic energy investment while remaining a responsible and reliable producer. For India, this shift could reduce vulnerability to OPEC’s production caps and open opportunities for direct government-to-government contracts and private sector refiners.
Thailand expects 2 million fewer foreign tourists in 2026 (Thai Times & Economic Times)
Thailand’s Finance Ministry announced that the US-Israel war against Iran has driven up global fuel prices and reduced tourist inflows. The government now expects 33.5 million foreign tourists in 2026, about 2 million fewer than earlier estimates, underlining the sector’s fragility as arrivals remain below pre-Covid highs. Visitors from the Middle East fell by one-third in March, while European arrivals dropped 4%, though tourists from other Asian countries rose 6%, according to the Thai Tourism Ministry. Thailand had received nearly 33 million foreign visitors in 2025, making tourism a critical driver of its economy. The ministry also projected core inflation at 3% in 2026, sharply higher than the earlier estimate of 0.3%, reflecting energy price pressures. This slowdown highlights the vulnerability of Thailand’s tourism-dependent economy, overseen by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Tourism & Sports, to geopolitical shocks and energy market volatility. India is a major source market: Indian arrivals reached about 2.1 million in 2024 and had surpassed 1 million by mid-2025, supported by visa exemptions and improved air links, but the 2026 downgrade implies India’s outbound numbers may contribute less to overall recovery than previously expected.
