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Thursday, April 23, 2026
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Diplomacy

India-hosted Quad leaders’ summit overdue, but no invites sent yet as US signals low interest

The Quad, revived by Trump in 2017, picked up steam during Biden’s tenure. However, India, which has held rotating presidency of Indo-Pacific grouping since 2025, has not yet finalised summit dates. 

India looks to South Korea for missile systems, defence tech as PM Modi meets President Lee

This is the first visit by a South Korean president in eight years. The two leaders agreed to expand the existing bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.

War fears push UAE to discuss currency swap line, hint at yuan oil sales if dollars dry up: WSJ report

Shift from dollar to yuan could threaten petrodollar system, a 1970s arrangement where oil-exporting nations price their oil exclusively in US dollars in exchange for US security guarantees.

Maldives requests 3rd extension of $400 million loan, India in a fix

The latest request by the Maldivian govt to roll-over a $400 million currency swap line has raised alarm bells in New Delhi. If granted, this would be the 3rd extension of the loan.

MEA summons Iranian envoy after IRGC opens fire on Indian-flagged vessels in Hormuz

The incident comes as confusion remains over the status of the critical waterway. Tehran has declared the strait closed as US continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Pardoned in espionage case, Indian naval veteran now jailed in Qatar on separate charge

Commander Purnendu Tiwary, the 8th Indian naval veteran who was pardoned by Amir of Qatar along in February 2024 on charges of espionage, has now been sentenced to imprisonment in a different case.

Top Ukrainian official in India, meets Doval & Jaishankar to discuss bilateral ties, war with Russia

Ukraine’s Secretary of of the National Security and defence Council Rustem Umerov is currently in the national capital and held meetings with NSA Ajit Doval and EAM S. Jaishankar.

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz open after Lebanon-Israel ceasefire. Then Trump puts in a caveat

Tehran has maintained that Lebanon is a part of the ceasefire mediated by Pakistan and announced last week by the US, Israel and Iran. However, Israel and the US had said otherwise. 

Trump congratulates diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu on being appointed as Delhi Lt Governor

In a post on Truth Social, the US President praises Sandhu's diplomatic experience & extends his best wishes on his new role.

Defence, high-level tech in focus as India-Austria sign letter of intent to cooperate on military matters

LoI focuses on enhancing defence industrial cooperation and technology cooperation. It builds on the India-EU security and defence partnership signed this year.

On Camera

Mumbai woman who shouted at minister spoke for many Indians, exposed BJP’s protest politics

Had it been a poor woman shouting at Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan over the roadblock, the police would likely have arrested her, raided her home, and terrorised her family members.

India’s online gaming rules to take effect on 1 May; most games exempt from registration

The rules, which come into force on 1 May, establish an Online Gaming Authority which will determine whether a game is an online money game or online social game in only three situations.

Japan overhauls post-World War II pacifist military approach, lifts restrictions on defence exports

Since October last year, Japan PM Sanae Takaichi has planned to increase defence spending target to 2 percent of GDP.

Trump, Netanyahu’s Iran gamble: The regime change rebound

American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.