Topic Of The Day:-“An important shift”
In recent weeks, there has been some activity suggestive of action being taken to achieve this objective. For instance, a reluctant India is being gradually inveigled into a newly minted design of what many perceive as an anti-China coalition, though none of them are willing to project it as such. Talks held recently at the level of officials between the U.S., Japan, Australia and India (the Quadrilateral) are seen as an indication of this. It marks an important shift in India’s attitude, and could be a prologue to what is in store. As China’s expansionist attitudes intensify, more countries in East and Southeast Asia are expected to align with the Quadrilateral group of countries. Vietnam could be one such country, but quite a few other countries in the region could follow suit. The recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings provided a further glimpse of attitudinal changes that are in the making. Mr. Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made use of this occasion to announce that the two countries were prepared to work together for the future of Asia — an euphemism for what many see as keeping a check on China’s aggressive designs in the region. It is, perhaps, for the first time that India has indicated a resolve to align openly with the U.S. to tackle broader issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Its implications go much further than mere deepening of the strategic partnership between the two countries or enhancing their cooperation as major defence partners. The reference that “two of the world’s great democracies should also have the world’s greatest militaries” is capable of being interpreted in several ways, including that it is aimed at China. What it does signify, unambiguously, is a quantum leap in their special relationship, with both sides committed to deepening their engagement in several directions. Mr. Modi demonstrated willingness on this occasion to go still further, asserting that India will stand by ASEAN in its quest for rules-based regional security architecture. This can again be interpreted as implicit criticism of China’s attitude and stance with regard to disputes in the South China Sea.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Dichotomy
Meaning: A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
Example: “a rigid dichotomy between science and mysticism”
Synonyms: Division, Separation
Antonyms: Integration, Union
2) The passage of time
Meaning: The process of time going past.
Example: Memories fade with the passage of time.
3) Lofty
Meaning: Of imposing height; haughty and aloof.
Example: The elegant square was shaded by lofty palms”
Synonyms: High, Giant
Antonyms: Modest, Low
4) Disdaining
Meaning: Consider to be unworthy of one’s consideration.
Example: “he disdained his patients as an inferior rabble”
Synonyms: Scorn, Deride
5) Confronts
Meaning: (of a problem or difficulty) present itself to (someone) so that action must be taken.
Example: “the new government was confronted with many profound difficulties”
Synonyms: Trouble, Bother
6) Backdrop
Meaning: The general situation in which particular events happen.
Example: Their love affair began against a backdrop of war.
7) Sculpted
Meaning: Create or represent (something) by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.
Example: “sculpting human figures from ivory”
Synonyms: Carve, Sculpture
8) Pivot
Meaning: A person or thing that plays a central part in a situation or enterprise.
Example: “the pivot of community life was the chapel”
Synonyms: Centre, Focal point
9) Inexorable
Meaning: (of a person) impossible to persuade; unrelenting.
Example: “the doctors were inexorable, and there was nothing to be done”
Synonyms: Inflexible, Unyielding
10) Reluctant
Meaning: Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.
Example: “today, many ordinary people are still reluctant to talk about politics”
Synonyms: Unwilling, Resistant
Antonyms: Willing, Eager
11) Inveigled
Meaning: Persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery.
Example: “he inveigled her back to his room”
Synonyms: Persuade, Convince
12) Prologue
Meaning: A separate introductory section of a literary, dramatic, or musical work.
Example: “the suppressed prologue to Women in Love”
Synonyms: Introduction, Preamble
Antonyms: Epilogue
13) Expansionist
Meaning: A follower or advocate of a policy of territorial or economic expansion.
Example: “he was an aggressive expansionist”
14) Intensify
Meaning: Become or make more intense.
Example: “the dispute began to intensify”
Synonyms: Escalate, Increase
Antonyms: Lessen, Abate
15) Follow suit
Meaning: To do the same thing as someone else.
Example: When one airline reduces its prices, the rest soon follow suit.
16) Glimpse
Meaning: See or perceive briefly or partially.
Example: “he glimpsed a figure standing in the shade”
Synonyms: See briefly, Note
17) Attitudinal
Meaning: Relating to attitudes.
Example: “unless there are certain attitudinal changes, women will continue to get a raw deal”
18) Euphemism
Meaning: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Example: “the jargon has given us ‘downsizing’ as a euphemism for cuts”
Synonyms: Substitute, Politeness
Antonyms: Dysphemism
19) Implications
Meaning: The action or state of being involved in something.
Example: “our implication in the problems”
Synonyms: Involvement, Connection
20) Mere
Meaning: Used to emphasize how small or insignificant someone or something is.
Example: “questions that cannot be answered by mere mortals”
Synonyms: Meagre, trivial
21) Enhancing
Meaning: Intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
Example: “his refusal does nothing to enhance his reputation”
Synonyms: Increase, Intensify
Antonyms: Diminish, Mar
22) Interpreted
Meaning: Explain the meaning of (information or actions).
Example: “the evidence is difficult to interpret”
Synonyms: Explain, Clarify
23) Unambiguously
Meaning: In a manner that is not open to more than one interpretation.
Example: “she answered questions clearly and unambiguously”
24) Quantum leap
Meaning: A sudden large increase or advance.
Example: “there has been a quantum leap in the quality of wines marketed in the UK”
25) Like-minded
Meaning: Having similar tastes or opinions.
Example: “a radio ham with like-minded friends all over the world”
Synonyms: Same opinion or idea
