Topic Of The day:-“The Story Of Two Ceasefires“
The Narendra Modi government in New Delhi has decided to make a host of political concessions — in the form of conciliatory moves, positive responses and toned-down rhetoric — vis-à-vis Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and Pakistan. More notably, we are also perhaps witnessing a cautious, and sensible, adoption of diplomacy and soft power in the final lap of the Modi government’s term in office. While that is indeed welcome, has its willingness to play down its aggressive rhetoric and dismount from the moral high horse come a bit too late in the day to make a difference?
Over the past month or so, New Delhi has offered to reach out to the separatists in Kashmir (junking its earlier resolve not to engage them), reportedly carried out backchannel parleys with the separatist leadership in Srinagar, declared a ceasefire during the month of Ramzan, and agreed to maintain the 2003 ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan. The India-Pakistan ceasefire was declared on May 29, which has so far continued with a few exceptions. The tone and tenor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership’s statements towards the Kashmiris has suddenly demonstrated some much-needed warmth and ‘love’.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Conciliatory
Meaning: Intended or likely to placate or pacify.
Example: “A conciliatory approach”
Synonyms: Placatory, Pacific
Antonyms: Antagonistic
2) Rhetoric
Meaning: The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
Example: “He is using a common figure of rhetoric, hyperbole”
Synonyms: Oratory, Eloquence
3) Cautious
Meaning: (Of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.
Example: “A cautious driver”
Synonyms: Careful, Wary
Antonyms: Incautious, Reckless
4) Indeed
Meaning: Used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested.
Example: “It was not expected to last long, and indeed it took less than three weeks”
Synonyms: Actually, Really
5) Aggressive
Meaning: Ready or likely to attack or confront; characterized by or resulting from aggression.
Example: “He’s very uncooperative and aggressive”
Synonyms: Hostile, Belligerent
Antonyms: Meek, Friendly
6) Dismount
Meaning: Remove (something) from its support.
Example: “We have to dismount the pump”
7) Parleys
Meaning: A conference between opposing sides in a dispute, especially a discussion of terms for an armistice.
Example: “A parley is in progress and the invaders may withdraw”
Synonyms: Negotiation, Meeting
8) Ceasefire
Meaning: A temporary suspension of fighting; a truce.
Example: “The latest ceasefire seems to be holding”
