THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- August 31, 2016- Topic 1
The LEMOA embrace
The signing of the Logistics Exchange
Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), during Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s
visit to Washington is a significant step forward for India and the U.S. The
agreement, which comes after more than a decade of NEGOTIATIONS, puts an automatic approvals process
in place for the two militaries to share each other’s bases for various
operations.
These include port visits, joint exercises, joint training, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts; other uses are to be discussed on a case-by-case basis. The agreement will aid the sort of operations India has undertaken to RESCUE STRANDED Indians in conflict zones. Further, as the Indian military continues to expand its role to aid in disaster relief, as it did during the 2004 tsunami, it will benefit from easier access to America’s network of military bases around the world. The pact will also enhance the military’s capability to be an EXPEDITIONARY force, at a time when Indian interests are distributed around the world with major investments planned both ONSHORE and OFFSHORE in oilfields. The U.S., too, has required the help of India, as it did when emergency planes were REFUELLED in Delhi during the Nepal earthquake relief operation. As India and the U.S. explore plans for maritime cooperation in the Asia-Pacific as a part of the joint vision statement, LEMOA is going to add value.
These include port visits, joint exercises, joint training, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts; other uses are to be discussed on a case-by-case basis. The agreement will aid the sort of operations India has undertaken to RESCUE STRANDED Indians in conflict zones. Further, as the Indian military continues to expand its role to aid in disaster relief, as it did during the 2004 tsunami, it will benefit from easier access to America’s network of military bases around the world. The pact will also enhance the military’s capability to be an EXPEDITIONARY force, at a time when Indian interests are distributed around the world with major investments planned both ONSHORE and OFFSHORE in oilfields. The U.S., too, has required the help of India, as it did when emergency planes were REFUELLED in Delhi during the Nepal earthquake relief operation. As India and the U.S. explore plans for maritime cooperation in the Asia-Pacific as a part of the joint vision statement, LEMOA is going to add value.
LEMOA is not without its
drawbacks, however, as is evident from the fact that it took so many years to
agree upon. Even after the Centre had cleared the “foundational agreement”, as
it is known, it took several months and at least four high-level meetings to
finalise the text. A major reason for this was that although India EMBARKED on closer defence ties with the U.S.
years ago, there was no consensus or support within the establishment for an
alliance of any kind, which the LEMOA had come to symbolise. As Mr. Parrikar
pointed out during his joint appearance with U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton
Carter, the finally negotiated text has nothing to do with setting up U.S.
bases in India, and there is no “OBLIGATION” on either side to carry out any joint
activity. Mr. Parrikar also mentioned a need to explain to the people the
import of the agreement by bringing it into the public domain before the
government considers discussions on the other foundational agreements the U.S.
is keen to draw India into. The CAUTION from Mr. Parrikar shows a NUANCED understanding of the benefits and
reservations about the Centre’s latest move, which is a welcome trend.
::::::::::::::::::Meanings::::::::::::::::::
Negotiations: discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.
Example: A worldwide ban is currently under negotiation
synonyms: discussion(s), talks, deliberations, conference, debate, dialogue, consultation
Rescue: an act of saving or being saved from danger
or distress.
Example: He came to our rescue with a loan of $100
synonyms: saving, rescuing, release, freeing, liberation, bailout, deliverance, redemption
Stranded: he shore of a sea, lake, or large river.
Example: A heron glided
to rest on a pebbly strand
synonyms: seashore, shore, beach, sands, foreshore, shoreline, seaside, waterfront, front
Expeditionary: of or forming an expedition, especially a
military expedition.
Example: an expeditionary force
Onshore: situated or occurring on land.
Example: an onshore oil field
Offshore: situated at sea some distance from the
shore.
Example: this huge stretch of coastline is dominated by offshore
barrier islands
Refueled: supply (a vehicle) with more fuel.
Example: the authorities agreed to refuel the plane
Embarked: go on board a ship, aircraft, or other
vehicle.
Example: he embarked for India in 1817
synonyms: board ship, go
on board, go aboard, hop on, jump on
Obligation: an act or course of action to which a
person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.
Example: he has enough cash to meet his present obligations
synonyms: duty, commitment, responsibility, function, task, job, assignment
Caution: care taken to avoid danger or mistakes.
Example: anyone receiving a suspect package should exercise
extreme caution
synonyms: care, carefulness, heedfulness, heed, attention, attentiveness, alertness
Nuanced: a subtle difference in or shade of meaning,
expression, or sound.
Example: the nuances of facial expression and body language
synonyms: finedistinction, subtledifference, shade, shading, gradation, variation, degree
