The Putin-Xi Summit, PM Modi's UAE Visit, and the India-Nordic Summit

The World This Week 356, Vol 8, No.18, 24 May 2026

Global Politics Team

The India-Nordic Summit and PM Modi’s Oslo Visit

Nordic countries view India as an increasingly important economic and strategic partner, as New Delhi offers access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major markets, a large skilled workforce, an expanding digital economy etc

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

India, the UAE, and PM Modi’s visit:

India and the UAE are moving beyond oil and trade; they are increasingly cooperating in defence, maritime infrastructure, AI, cybersecurity, logistics, and advanced technologies.

Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is currently pursuing undergraduate studies at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. 

The Putin-Xi Summit

With 40 meetings so far since 2013 and 40 agreements signed during the summit, China and Russia frame their relationship as equal strategic cooperation, though favors Beijing.

Aparna A Nair | Aparna A Nair is a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

What makes the UAE a global player?

Oil was discovered in Abu Dhabi in 1958 and Dubai in 1966; this transformed the region’s economy and led to rapid urban growth.

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

Sri Lanka and the US-Iran War 

Fuel prices have been rising significantly, with reports that have indicated increases of up to 25-30 percent. Rationing systems have also been introduced to manage the limited supplies.

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at NIAS, Bengaluru.

Why does the Falkland Islands dispute keep recurring?

Argentina’s domestic politics under Javier Milei, President Donald Trump’s shifting geopolitical priorities, and the UK’s strategic interests in the South Atlantic have once again thrust the Falkland Islands dispute back into international focu

Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in international relations at Loyola College, Chennai. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The Trump-Xi Summit

The World This Week #354-355, 17 May 2026

NIAS Global Politics Team

The Trump-Xi Summit:

The summit reflects efforts to stabilize US-China relations without resolving any core strategic differences.

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026:

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The Africa Forward Summit 2026:

The comprehensive 11-point roadmap, signed by over 30 African heads of state and France addresses several areas, including global financial reforms, digital sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and regional development.

Ada Khan | Ada Khan is an undergraduate at the Department of Political Science, Public Policy, and Media Studies, Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru.

Rising violence in the Lake Chad region I The New Wave of Violence in DR Congo

NIAS Global Politics Team

Continuing Militant Attacks in Pakistan:

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Iran’s Lebanon precondition for a ceasefire with the US: 

Rohini Reenum

The Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:

The renewed Israel-Hezbollah clashes, triggered by Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes on Israel at the onset of the US-Israel war against Iran, shattered the fragile November 2024 ceasefire.

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Rising violence in the Lake Chad region: 

At the intersection of four countries (Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon), the Lake Chad region has a complex geography, making it easier for insurgents to evade authorities from any single country.

Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, and is part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader and Africa Studies teams.

Weakening faith in institutions and Political polarization in Latin America and the Caribbean:

Latin America and the Caribbean are witnessing a gradual decline in democracy. Even though institutions remain functional, their ability to deliver results and maintain trust is being questioned.

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

The New Wave of Violence in DR Congo:

The focus on M23 has undermined the required attention to other conflicts in the eastern regions of DR Congo.

Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is currently a Non-Resident Fellow, Subhas Chandra Bose International Relations (SCB-IR) Chair, Chanakya University, Bengaluru.

The Hormuz Strait and the Fertilizer Crisis in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

The Middle East possesses abundant natural gas reserves, which are pertinent to the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers.

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai.

Why is the UK reluctant to engage?

Kirsten Wilfred Coelho