The Hindu Editorial (​​Beyond the optics) – Dec 22, 2025

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The Hindu Editorial (​Beyond the optics) – Dec 22, 2025:

1. optics (noun) – the way in which something (political action/situation) is recognized by the general public.
2. diplomacy (noun) – international politics, foreign affairs, foreign policy; negotiations, discussions, talks, dialogue (related to international politics).
3. world/international/global order (noun) – the arrangement of power and authority that provides the system for the conduct of diplomacy and world politics in relation to the entire world.
4. thread (noun) – subject, subject matter, theme.
5. bilateral (adjective) – involving two groups or countries.
6. ties (noun) – association, relationship, bond, connection.
7. increasingly (adverb) – more and more, steadily more, continuously more, gradually more.
8. transactional (adjective) – relating to the process of buying or selling; relating to a philosophical method of social exchange; exchangeable, transferable, negotiable, marketable.
9. The Global South (noun) – the poor developing countries (of Asia, Africa, South America, amongst others).
10. The Global North (noun) – the economically developed countries (of Europe, North America, Australia, amongst others).
11. seek (verb) – try, aim, attempt (to find or obtain something).
12. development (noun) – progress, progression, advancement, improvement, growth.
13. talk (noun) – discussion, discourse, debate, dialogue, deliberation, negotiation, parley.
14. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) (noun) – a free trade agreement (FTA) between two countries.
15. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (noun) – an agreement between two or more countries designed to reduce or eliminate certain barriers to trade and investment, and to facilitate stronger trade and commercial ties between participating countries.
16. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (noun) – a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf except Iraq, namely: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
17. non-fossil fuel or renewable energy (noun) – green/clean energy; energy generated from natural resources (such as water, wind & solar energy). 
18. Addis Ababa (proper noun) – the capital of Ethiopia means “New Flower”.
19. strategic partnership (noun) – it is a long-term interaction between two countries based on political, economic, social and historical factors.
20. exchange (noun) – interchange, trade, trading, tradeoff.
21. key (adjective) – crucial, critical, important/significant.
22. in terms of (phrase) – with reference to, in respect of, with regard to, in connection with, in the matter of, regarding, considering a particular aspect.
23. summit (noun) – meeting, conference, conclave (international meeting/conference of heads of state/government).
24. held past participle of hold (verb) – conduct, organize, arrange.
25. The African Union (AU) (noun) – it is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
26. BRICS countries (plural noun) – the acronym coined to associate five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS members are known for their significant influence on regional affairs. On 1 January 2024, BRICS admitted four new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has joined Brics, the alliance of major developing countries, along with four other nations.
27. take over (phrasal verb) – assume control of, take charge of, assume responsibility for, be elevated to.
28. Chairmanship (noun) – premiership, leadership, presidency, stewardship.
29. set out (phrasal verb) – start, embark, seek, aspire, arrange, describe, put forward, present. 
30. conflict (noun) – war, warfare, armed conflict, military action, armed clash.
31. Gaza (noun) – a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip. Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian territory surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Israel and Egypt.
32. tensions (noun) – strained relations, strain, unease.
33. neighbour (noun) – a country that is next to another country; (bordering) country.
34. imperil (verb) – endanger, jeopardize, put in danger.
35. corridor (noun) – a strip/swathe of land linking two areas (particularly by a road).
36. Economic Corridor (noun) – Economic corridors connect economic agents along a defined geography and region. They are integrated networks of infrastructure within a geographical area designed to stimulate economic development. They may be developed within a country or between countries.
37. traverse (verb) – travel across, travel over, travel through, go across, pass through, navigate.
38. reiteration (noun) – the process of repeating something (some action) for clarity/emphasis; repetition, repeating, restatement, retelling, iteration.
39. cause (noun) – action, point of view.
40. principled (adjective) – ethical, honest, respectable, noble, decent, righteous, law-abiding, upright.
41. underline (verb) – emphasize, highlight, stress, underscore, call/draw attention to..
42. resolution (noun) – solution, settlement, answer, conclusion.
43. establishment (noun) – formation, creation, inception, initiation.
44. sovereign (adjective) – self-determining, self-governing, independent (nation).
45. reiterate (verb) – say something again; say again, repeat, retell, restate, iterate, recapitulate.
46. interlocutor (noun) – a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation.
47. import (noun) – meaning, essence, message, substance, signification, point.
48. build on (phrasal verb) –  develop, expand on, enhance, elaborate, improve.
49. bonhomie (noun) – friendliness, warmth, geniality/affability.

Note : 

1. Click each one of the words above for their definition, more synonyms, pronunciation, example sentences, phrases, derivatives, origin and etc. from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/.

2. Definitions (elementary level) & Synonyms provided for the words above are my personal work and not that of Oxford University Press. Tentative definitions/meanings are provided for study purposes only and they may vary in a different context.  

3. This word list is for personal use only. Reproduction in any format and/or Commercial use of it is/are strictly prohibited.

The Hindu Editorial (​Beyond the optics) – Dec 22, 2025: