English Vocab

Out at Sea

In its National Security Strategy (NSS), the U.S. has called China a “challenger” and “rival” while welcoming India’s emergence as a “leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner”, and declared that it seeks to increase ‘Quadrilateral’ cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India. The NSS also states that the U.S. would support India’s growing relationships throughout the region. While the broader emphasis on improving the partnership is welcome, policy-makers in New Delhi should be cautious on two counts. One, India should be wary (chary) of any attempts at beingpitted (set someone or something in conflict or competition with.) as a front in the U.S.’s

efforts to check China’s rise. Two, while the notion of the Indo-Pacific soundsgrandiose (resplendent) and enticing, India must not forget that its primary area of concern is the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Securing its position here is vital before venturing elsewhere.

Rules-based order

More importantly, it would not be an exaggeration to say that India has always beenwooed by both sides and has been a balancing power on the world stage. As its stature in global politics increases, it is in the nation’s as well as global interest that India remains a balancing power. For instance, India’s vote in the UN General Assembly over Jerusalem should be seen in line with a “rules-based world order.”

At the same time, there is no question that India should hedge (protect oneself against loss on (a bet or investment) by making balancing or compensating transactions.)against the rapid expansion of Chinese presence in the IOR. This is further underscored by recent acknowledgment by the People’s Liberation Army that it is “planning to explore the possibility of more foreign military outposts in Africa, West Asia and other areas.” For India, geographically the area of concern, and so the area of focus, should remain the IOR, stretching from the Gulf of Aden to the Strait of Malacca. While reiterating its commitment to upholding the established laws of the global commons, New Delhi should not go adrift (without purpose, direction, or guidance.) in the larger Indo-Pacific. As more powers make inroads into this strategically crucial space, India must consolidate its position and not expect others to do its job, for it would only mean ceding (give up (power or territory).) space in the long run.

There are two ways of doing this — beefing up(To increase something, often in strength.) Indian capacity and securing interests and then expanding partnerships to fill voids. The tags of net security provider and leading global power would mean nothing if New Delhi cannot undertake capacity building in its own backyard, be it South Asia or the IOR. While the offer of help from various countries to help expand India’s network in the region looks tempting, it actually reflects India’s failure to establish its primacy in the region. Ideally, it should have been the other way round: India guiding outside powers in its backyard. In this context, it is imperative for policy-makers in New Delhi to conduct a reality check on relations with our neighbours.

Over the last couple of months, there have been hectic parleys (a conference between opposing sides in a dispute) with various nations in various formats — quadrilateral, trilateral, etc. But it cannot be at the expense of the neighbours. While being part of various groupings is important, it is imperative that they are in line with our interests. That is where more clarity is required on the recently resurrected (revived) Quad. Except India, for the other three the primary focus is the Pacific Ocean, especially the South China Sea.

Key initiatives

At the same time, some recent initiatives illustrate the way forward for India. Last month, India and Singapore concluded an overarching (comprehensive or all-embracing.) bilateral agreement for naval cooperation. Besides being only India’s second bilateral logistics arrangement, it gives it access to the Changi naval base at the mouth of the Strait of Malacca. With Singapore’s assistance, India is also working out modalities for joint multilateral exercises with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). India is also negotiating similar logistics agreements with several other countries. These developments show the way forward for India to engage with like-minded countries in the region without getting entangled in groupings which are seen as being targeted or military in nature.

Another initiative which fits the bill is the Goa Maritime Conclave hosted by the Indian navy last month where Navy Chiefs and maritime heads of 10 Indian Ocean littoral(relating to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.) states brainstormed on ways to improve cooperation in the region. It is an India-led initiative where the navy has offered to share information of maritime movement in real-time.

This is the template for India to take forward to build its primacy in the IOR before venturing into adjacent waters while also making sure that its interests are taken heed of while getting into various groupings and not end up doing someone else’s bidding.

1. Pit (verb): (Set someone or something in conflict or competition with.) (के विरुद्ध/मुक़ाबले में रखना)

Synonyms: Set against, Put in opposition to, Put in competition with, Compete with/against, Vie with.

Example: In the championship game, the two teams were pitted against each other for the national title.

Verb forms: Pit, Pitted, Pitted.

2. Resplendent (adjective): (Attractive and impressive through being richly colourful or sumptuous.) (भव्य)

Synonyms: Splendid, Magnificent, Grandiose, Dazzling, Glorious, Superb, Majestic.

Antonyms: Dull, Poor, Ugly, Withering.

Example: The sun coming out after the first snowfall of the season made the little village resplendent and almost magical.

Related words:

Resplendently (adverb) - In an impressively beautiful manner

Origin: From Latin resplendere, from re-(expressing intensive force) + splendere ‘to glitter’.

3. Chary (adjective): (Cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something/ apprehensive about doing something) (सावधान/ख़बरदार)

Synonyms: Wary, Cautious, Circumspect, Heedful, Careful, Watchful.

Antonyms: Careless, Heedless, Incautious.

Example: School districts are incredibly chary about hiring people with criminal backgrounds.

4. Hedge (verb): (Protect oneself against loss on (a bet or investment) by making balancing or compensating transactions/ to save something from being exposed/ to guard or protect against of. (बचाव करना (सीमा में रहकर))

Synonyms: Guard, Protect, Save, Defend, Preserve, Secure, Shield.

Antonyms: Expose, Endanger, Uncover.

Example: Since the company was going through financial crisis, the revenue from newly launched app hedged it from financial bankruptcy.

Verb forms: Hedge, Hedged, Hedged.

Related words:

Hedge (noun) – बचाव

5. Cede (verb): (Give up (power or territory/ to give away authority to a government, group, or person).)   सौंपना/हार मानना)

Synonyms: Surrender, Concede, Yield, Give In, Give Up, Capitulate.

Antonyms: Fight, Oppose, Defend

Example: When Matt became terminally ill, he had no choice but to cede control of his company to his daughter.

Verb forms: Cede, Ceded, Ceded

Origin: from Latin cedere ‘to yield’.

6. Beef up (phrasal verb): (To increase something, often in strength.) (मज़बूत करना)

Synonyms: Strengthen, Augment, Fortify, Intensify, Reinforce.

Antonyms: Diminish, Weaken.

Example: Facts in a n argument can beef up your position.

Verb forms: Beef up, Beefed up, Beefed up.

7. Parley (noun): (A conference between opposing sides in a dispute / a discussion) (संवाद)

Synonyms: Meeting, Conference, Summit, Discussion, Dialogue, Conclave, Consultation, Deliberation.

Example: A mediator tries to make a parley between the two parties.

Verb forms: Parley, Parleyed, Parleyed.

Related words:

Parley (verb) - Hold a conference with the opposing side to discuss terms.

Origin: from French parlee ‘spoken’,

8. Resurrect (verb): (Revive or revitalize (something that is inactive, disused, or forgotten).) (पुनर्जीवित होना/दुबारा शुरू करना)

Synonyms: Revive, Restore, Regenerate, Revitalize, Reinvigorate, Renew, Resuscitate.

Antonyms: Kill, Ruin, Damage, Worsen.

Example: People believe that Christianity evolved from the resurrection of Christ’s body from the Earth.

Verb forms: Resurrect, Resurrected, Resurrected.

Related words:

Resurrection (noun) - The revitalization or revival of something.

Origin: From Latin resurgere ‘rise again’.

9. Overarching (adjective): (Comprehensive or all-embracing.) (व्यापक)

Synonyms: Overall, Throughout, Comprehensive, All-Including.

Antonyms: Narrow, Confining, Constricted, Parochial.

Example: The appraisal of an employee is overarching in nature.

Verb forms: Overarch, Overarched, Overarched.

Related words:

Overarch (verb) - Form an arch over/cover a wide range of something

10. Littoral (adjective): (Relating to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.) (तटीय/किनारे का)

Synonyms: Of shore, Coastal, Seaside, At bank.

Example: Being located in a littoral area, the city had access to more fresh seafood that other cities in the state.

Related words:

Littoral (noun) - A region lying along a shore.

Origin: from Latin littoralis ‘shore’.