Awkward India diplomacy, US-Nato ‘crisis’, Strait of Hormuz woes: 7 global relations reads

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Quad summit plan turns uneasy as India pushes ahead without top leaders: sourcesPhoto: APA stretch of awkward diplomacy was unfolding in the Indo-Pacific in April: New Delhi was planning to host a foreign ministers’ meeting that could have been framed as a leaders-level discussion, even if the top leaders did not attend, according to two people familiar with the matter. The move was seen as a way to smooth India’s ruffled feathers on several counts.Read the full story here.2. Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and TaiwanPhoto: Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service handout via EPARussia and China’s top envoys met in Beijing to discuss the Iran war, Ukraine and Taiwan as Beijing stepped up its diplomacy and tensions with Washington increased.Read the full story here.3. Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?Photo: APControl of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the central fault line in US-Iran negotiations, with US President Donald Trump having apparently recast an earlier off-the-cuff idea into a more formal proposal that sought to bridge Tehran’s push for dominance and Washington’s insistence on open passage.Read the full story here.4. US and Nato in frustrating ‘marriage crisis’, Belgian defence minister saysPhoto: EPABelgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said the US and Nato were faced with a “marriage crisis” as frustrations mounted on both sides of the Atlantic, urging Washington to stand with its allies or risk America’s fall.Read the full story here.5. Lebanese minister backs Hezbollah disarmament, but warns it will take timePhoto: ReutersLebanon’s social affairs minister backed calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah amid a violation-stricken Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, but cautioned the process would take time before a “political settlement” could be reached, noting that the group is also a “community”.Further ReadingRead the full story here.6. Trump and Iran trade red lines as Putin enters the diplomatic crossfirePhoto: Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via APFollowing high-level mediation efforts in Islamabad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, at the same time as Trump convened his senior national security team to evaluate a fresh Iranian peace proposal, delivered via Pakistan.SCMP Plus is a new premium news platform that gives you an all-inclusive edge to stay ahead on China news. To access our exclusive content you’ll need to subscribe.Already a subscriber?LOG INRead the full story here.7. UAE to leave Opec after 6 decades, oil cartel unity questionedPhoto: EPAThe United Arab Emirates announced that it would leave the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and the wider Opec+ alliance effective May 1, a move that signalled a push for greater control over its production strategy.Read the full story here.