THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary - April 30, 2018 - Topic 1
Wisdom at Wuhan: on the Modi-Xi meeting
For an “informal
summit”, the Wuhan meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese
President Xi Jinping appeared to cover much ground over the two days — in terms
of public appearances and in the two statements issued. Most of their
conversations were unstructured, at informal events where they were accompanied
only by translators. There was just one delegation-level meeting. The
statements denoted the wide range of subjects discussed, from bilateral to
regional and global challenges.
On the bilateral front, they decided to “issue
strategic guidance to their militaries to strengthen communication”,
essentially to avoid another Doklam-like confrontation. Both sides addressed
measures to better balance the ballooning trade deficit of about $52 billion
(of about $84 billion bilateral trade), mostly by encouraging agricultural and
pharmaceutical exports to China. Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi discussed a joint project
in Afghanistan. Finally, they attempted to reduce the heat over unresolved
issues and so-called “irritants” in the relationship, such as China’s block on
India’s NSG membership bid or the UN’s terror designation for Pakistan-based
groups, and India’s opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative or its use of
the Tibet issue. For this, existing mechanisms of dialogue will be strengthened,
not allowing broader bilateral movement to be hit.
Such a conciliatory approach
from Delhi and Beijing has been evident over the last few months of preparation
for the Wuhan meeting, with both sides turning down the post-Doklam rhetoric.
While their previous meetings, in 2015, 2016 and 2017, were preceded or
overshadowed by a military standoff or Chinese army intrusion, this time the
air has been relatively calm. The message from Wuhan is an overarching one:
that despite bilateral and geopolitical differences, India and China can
resolve differences peacefully and through prolonged dialogue. Despite hundreds
of years of engaging each other, the two neighbours have been to war only once;
since the Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility was signed in
1993, neither side has fired a weapon along the 3,500-km boundary, which is
largely undemarcated. And despite both countries’ atomic weapons arsenals,
parleys have never carried even a hint of the nuclear overhang. The Wuhan
summit has recommitted India and China to managing bilateral relations in a
manner that creates the conditions for the “Asian Century”, and Mr. Modi and
Mr. Xi are well-placed to proceed along that path. Much will depend on whether
the Wuhan understanding can prevent skirmishes and misunderstandings becoming
standoffs, as in the past. The test of that begins now.
Vocabulary
Appearance: the way that someone or something looks.
Example: I like the appearance of stripped antique pine
Synonyms: look(s), air, aspect, mien
Accompanied: go somewhere with someone as a companion or escort
Example: The two sisters were to accompany us to New York
Synonyms: go with, travel with, keep someone
company, tag along with
Delegation: a body of delegates or representatives; a
deputation.
Example: A delegation of teachers
Synonyms: deputation, legation, mission, diplomatic
mission, commission
Strengthen: make or become stronger.
Example: He advises an application of fluoride to strengthen the
teeth
Synonyms: fortify, make strong/stronger, build
up, give strength to
Reduce: make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
Example: The need for businesses to reduce costs
Synonyms: lessen, make smaller, lower, bring
down, decrease, diminish
Approach: a way of dealing with something.
Example: We need a whole new approach to the job
Synonyms: method, procedure, technique, modus
operandi
Conciliatory: intended or likely to placate or pacify.
Example: A conciliatory approach
Synonyms: propitiatory, placatory, appeasing, pacifying
Evident: plain or obvious; clearly seen or understood.
Example: She ate the cookies with evident enjoyment
Synonyms: obvious, apparent, noticeable, conspicuous, perceptible
Intrusion: the action of intruding.
Example: He was furious about this intrusion into his private life
Synonyms: encroachment, invasion, incursion, intervention, infringement
Tranquility: the quality or state of being tranquil; calm.
Example: Passing cars are the only noise that disturbs the
tranquility of rural life
Synonyms: peace, peacefulness, restfulness, repose, calm, calmness
Prevent: keep something from happening or arising.
Example: Action must be taken to prevent further accidents
Synonyms: stop, put a stop to, avert, nip in
the bud, fend off, stave off
Skirmishes: an episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting
Example: The key now is to tune out the ‘white noise’ and stop
fighting the daily skirmishes of the last war.
Synonyms: fight, battle, clash, conflict, encounter, engagement, fray, combat
