Topic Of The Day:-“Tension in the air”
The tensions in the trilateral framework are inevitable given the changes in the global geopolitical environment. The original conception of this framework was a response to a very different global environment. The proposal for a Moscow-Beijing-Delhi ‘strategic triangle’ had originally come from former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov during his visit to India in 1998, when he argued that such an arrangement would represent a force for greater regional and international stability. This did not elicit as enthusiastic a response from China and India as Russia had perhaps hoped for. Thereafter, the three countries continued to focus on improving the nature of their bilateral relationships, maintaining a safe distance from the Primakov proposal. But, this idea of a ‘strategic triangle’ took a tangible form when former Foreign Ministers of Russia, China, and India — Igor Ivanov, Tang Jiaxuan and Yashwant Sinha — met on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2002. Despite the fact that nothing concrete emerged out of that meeting, it represented the first major attempt by the three nations to deliberate on world affairs, and since then has become a regular feature of interactions among the three states. The three nations had very different expectations from this trilateral. Russia’s role was key as its loss of power and influence on the world scene was a major cause of concern for its leadership. There was a growing and pervasive feeling in Russia that it surrendered its once-powerful position on the world stage for a position of little international influence and respect. It is against this backdrop that Russia tried to establish itself as the hub of two bilateral security partnerships that could be used to counteract U.S. power and influence in areas of mutual concern. While Russia witnessed a downward slide in its status as a superpower since the end of the Cold War, China emerged as a rising power that saw the U.S. as the greatest obstacle, if it was to achieve a pre-eminent position in the global political hierarchy. As a consequence, China recognised the importance of cooperating with Russia to check U.S. expansionism in the world, even if only for the short term. In fact, American policies towards Russia and China moved the two states closer to each other, leading to the formation of a new balance of power against the U.S.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Inevitable
Meaning: Certain to happen; unavoidable.
Example: “War was inevitable”
synonyms: Unavoidable, inescapable
Antonyms: Avoidable, Uncertain
2) Geopolitical
Meaning: Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
3) Elicit
Meaning: Evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone.
Example: “I tried to elicit a smile from Joanna”
synonyms: Obtain, Bring out
4) Enthusiastic
Meaning: Having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
Example: “He could be wildly enthusiastic about a project”
synonyms: Eager, Keen
Antonyms: Apathetic
5) Tangible
Meaning: Clear and definite; real.
Example: “The emphasis is now on tangible results”
synonyms: Real, Actual
6) Emerged
Meaning: Recover from or survive a difficult situation.
Example: “The economy has started to emerge from recession”
7) Deliberate
Meaning: Done consciously and intentionally.
Example: “A deliberate attempt to provoke conflict”
Synonyms: Intentional, Calculated
8) Pervasive
Meaning: (Especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
Example: “Ageism is pervasive and entrenched in our society”
Synonyms: Prevalent, Extensive
9) Hub
Meaning: The effective centre of an activity, region, or network.
Example: “The city has always been the financial hub of the country”
Synonyms: Centre, Core
Antonyms: Periphery
10) Counteract
Meaning: Act against (something) in order to reduce its force or neutralize it.
Example: “Should we deliberately intervene in the climate system to counteract global warming?”
synonyms: Prevent, Thwart
Antonyms: Encourage, Enhance
11) Concern
Meaning: Make (someone) anxious or worried.
Example: “The roof of the barn concerns me because eventually it will fall in”
synonyms: Worry, Disturb
12) Hierarchy
Meaning: A system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority.
Example: “The initiative was with those lower down in the hierarchy”
Synonyms: Pecking order, Ranking
13) Expansionism
Meaning: The policy of territorial or economic expansion.
Example: “The need to oppose German expansionism”
