Author: Dr. Abhishek Yadav

Beyond the Cartel: What the UAE’s OPEC Exit Means for West Asia and India

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IntroductionOn 28 April 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective 1 May 2026. As per the UAE Ministry of Energy, the decision was taken after a comprehensive review of its production policy and capacity in the national interest. After nearly six decades of membership, Abu Dhabi, having joined in 1967, the departure is the most consequential defection in the cartel’s history. The UAE was OPEC’s fourth-largest producer, contributing approximately 12 per cent of total OPEC supply. Its exit is neither merely economic nor sudden;…

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