The Hindu Editorial (Summit spirit) – Mar 15, 2021

The virtual summit that brought together leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, last week, contained both broad substance and deep symbolism. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Summit spirit) – Mar 15, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Summit spirit) – Mar 15, 2021:

summit (noun) – meeting, conference, conclave.
Quad/Quadrilateral (noun) – The ‘Quadrilateral’ is described as four democracies (the United States, Japan, Australia and India) with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.
interest (noun) – common concern; benefit, advantage.
broaden (verb) – widen, make wider, expand stretch/spread out.
geopolitical (adjective) – relating to (the study of) the geographical factors (a country’s position on the earth, size, climate, and natural resources & etc.) in world politics and inter-state relations.
horizons (noun) – a range of experience, outlook/perspective, scope, ambit, purview.
virtual (adjective) – performing a task with the use of a computer, especially over a network.
virtual summit (noun) – online meeting.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD)/The Quad (noun) – an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia and India that aims to strengthen the defence and security cooperation amongst these four countries. It was initially proposed by former Japan PM Abe in order to check China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
substance (noun) – significant subject, important matter/content, valid message.
symbolism (noun) – representation of ideas/qualities.
counter (verb) – answer, respond to, contradict, negate; oppose, resist, tackle, confront.
perception (noun) – understanding, thought, impression, feeling.
merely (adverb) – only, simply, just.
talk shop (phrase) – talk about one’s work or job even when you’re not at work; to talk about your work/job to the people you work with and no one else would be interested; (a place where discussion on work/job is the main activity, with no decisions or actions necessarily arising from the discussion).
vaccine (noun) – a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease.
Joint Working Group (JWG) (noun) – a working group formed between one or more organizations.
climate change (noun) – a long-term change in the Earth’s climate, or of a region on Earth (Courtesy: NASA).
ambitious (adjective) – formidable, challenging, demanding; aspiring.
The Indo-Pacific (region) (noun) – the Indo-Pacific region refers to the confluence (convergence) of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, which interconnect in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and more).
emission (noun) – the release of carbon into the atmosphere.
Paris Agreement/Accord/pact (noun) – The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention (agreement) and for the first time brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so.
(global) supply chain (noun) – a dynamic worldwide network when a company purchases or uses goods or services from overseas. It involves people, information, processes, and resources involved in the production, handling, and distribution of materials and finished products or providing a service to the customer.
atmospherics (noun) – elements in something (e.g. music) which create a certain atmosphere.
free from (verb) – unaffected by, clear of, without, devoid of.
coercion (noun) – it means compelling an individual to act against his/her will by the use of psycological pressure or physical force causing bodily injury; force/pressure, oppression, harassment, intimidation.
G-7 or Group of Seven (noun) – a multilateral forum made up of the world’s seven largest so-called developed countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. They meet annually to discuss and exchange ideas on a broad range of issues, including global economy, security and energy.
push (noun) – effort to do something; initiative, drive, motivation.
engagement (noun) – participation, taking part, involvement.
in terms of (phrase) – with regard to, regarding/concerning, in connection with.
reaffirm (verb) – assert, state, assure again strongly.
alliance (noun) – association, union, partnership.
take on (phrasal verb) – compete against, oppose, challenge, confront.
growing (adjective) – increasing.
due to (phrase) – because of, owing to, on account of.
maritime (adjective) – of or related to the sea.
tension (noun) –strained relations, friction, antipathy, hostility, enmity.
keen (adjective) – eager, very interested, wanting (to do something).
strategic (adjective) – relating to achieving long-term or overall (military) goals.
tense (noun) – stressful, worrying, concerning, strained, worrisome, difficult, restless.
Line of Actual Control (LAC) (noun) – the de-facto (effective) border between India and China. The LAC is a 4,057-km border running through three areas-Western (Ladakh, Ladakh (Kashmir)), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal).
pharmaceutical (adjective) – relating to aspects like preparation, dispensing and effective utilization of the medicinal drugs.
prowess (noun) – ability, capability, capacity.
avenue (noun) – way, method, direction, approach.
infrastructure (noun) – the basic physical or organisational structure for something (to function properly).
portray (verb) – represent, depict, characterize, describe.
throw down the gauntlet (phrase) – challenge, confront, dare.
diplomat (noun) – ambassador, envoy, emissary, consul.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (noun) – a proposed agreement between the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its free trade agreement (FTA) partners. The pact aims to cover trade in goods and services, intellectual property, etc.
kick in (phrasal verb) – come into operation, come into effect.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
ties (noun) – bond, connection, association, relationship.
sensitivity (noun) – consideration, care, thoughtfulness, tact, diplomacy, delicacy, subtlety.
ongoing (adjective) – continuing, happening/occurring, unending, unceasing, relentless.
disengagement (noun) – withdrawal, departure, retreat (of military troops from an area of conflict).
multilateral (adjective) – involving many different countries/parties/organizations.
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.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) (noun) – The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation, the creation of which was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China). The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) and is seen as a counterweight to NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization). It was established as a multilateral association to ensure security and maintain stability across the vast Eurasian region, join forces to counteract emerging challenges and threats, and enhance trade, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
global good (noun) – the benefit or well-being of the people of the entire world.
rather than (phrase) – instead of.
militaristic (adjective) – warmongering, warlike, hawkish, combative.
have another string to one’s bow (phrase) – have another resource that one can use.