The Hindu Editorial (Fits and starts) – Apr 07, 2021

After a month of moves and messages that indicated a détente, events last week appear to have slammed the brakes on the India-Pakistan dialogue process. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Fits and starts) – Apr 07, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Fits and starts) – Apr 07, 2021:

(in/by) fits and starts (phrase) – irregularly, interruptedly, fitfully, sporadically, now and again.
dialogue (noun) – discussion, discourse, exchange of views (to solve a problem).
nascent (adjective) – just beginning, developing, emerging, rising, burgeoning.
engagement (noun) – participation, taking part, involvement.
ties (noun) – bond, connection, association, relationship.
move (noun) – initiative, step, action, act, measure.
detente (noun) – restoration of harmony, agreement, compromise/understanding.
slam (verb) – push/press with great force.
slam the brakes (phrase) – to quickly press on a (vehicle’s) brake.
ceasefire (noun) – a negotiated agreement that will be accompanied by other associated commitments to de-escalate the fighting; a temporary stoppage of war, truce, armistice.
Line of Control (LoC) (noun) – it is a 450 mile-long military control line lying between India and Pakistan’s controlled parts of the former (under the British) Jammu and Kashmir. This line is not actually a legally recognized international boundary but prevails as per de facto. After the Simla Agreement signed in July 1972, this line was officially renamed as “Line of Control” from “the Cease-fire Line”.
measure (noun) – action, step, procedure.
push for (phrasal verb) – demand, insist on, ask/call/speak for; urge, advocate, recommend, champion, espouse.
rapprochement (noun) – reconciliation, reuniting, restoration of harmony, compromise/understanding.
salutary (adjective) – good, helpful/useful, beneficial, practical, valuable.
despite (preposition) – in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of, for all.
growing (adjective) – increasing.
bonhomie (noun) – friendliness, warmth, geniality/affability.
lead a charge of (phrase) – to cause/inspire/influence (others) to act/behave in a certain way.
Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) (noun) – a principle federal institution and a consultative forum used by the people-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan as its chairman, for concerning matters of state’s economic security, geoeconomic, political economic and financial endowment issues.
subsequently (adverb) – afterwards, later on, in due course.
drop (verb) – abandon, discontinue, cancel, give up, discard.
capacity (noun) – ability, power, potential; post/position.
normalise (verb) – to have a friendly relationship again after a war or disagreement.
revoke (verb) – cancel, repeal, reverse, abrogate.
Article 370 of Indian Constitution (noun) – It had “temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir” which gave special powers to the state. The article allowed the state a certain amount of autonomy – its own constitution, a separate flag and freedom to make laws. Foreign affairs, defence and communications remained the preserve (domain) of the central government. It also allowed Jammu and Kashmir to make its own rules relating to permanent residency, ownership of property and fundamental rights. It did also bar Indians from outside the state from purchasing property or settling there.
back channel (noun) – a secondary or secret route.
facilitate (verb) – make easy, make possible; assist, help/aid.
U-turn (noun) – about-turn, a reversal of policy, change of mind/plan, about-face.
swing (noun) – fluctuation, change/shift, variation, oscillation.
scenario (noun) – situation, background, context.
pose (verb) – constitute, present, create, cause (a problem or danger or risk).
indeed (adverb) – in fact, actually, undeniably.
under way (phrase) – in progress, happening, occurring, taking place.
behind the scenes (phrase) – secretly, privately, surreptitiously.
stress (verb) – emphasize, draw attention to, highlight, underline, underscore.
geo-economic (adjective) – relating to the use of economic interests to promote and defend national interests, and to produce beneficial geopolitical results; relating to the use of economics as an instrument/tool of state power.
prioritise (verb) – make a point of, highlight, call attention to (something as very important).
prosperity (noun) – success, profitability, affluence, fortune.
all-powerful (adjective) – having total power; dictatorial, despotic, totalitarian, autocratic.
the establishment (noun) – the powers that be, the authorities, the system, the ruling class, the regime.
spoiler (noun) – a person who is spoiling something.
press home one’s advantage over (phrase) – to utilize the advantage one has.
embarrassing (adjective) – humiliating, degrading, demeaning, disgracing.
stand (noun) – attitude, point of view, opinion, standpoint.
unworkable (adjective) – unrealistic, unfeasible, non-viable, impracticable.
draw (verb) – be the cause of some (controversial) reaction.
reportedly (adverb) – supposedly, seemingly, apparently, allegedly.
outlooked (adjective) – viewed, excepted.
restoration (noun) – reinstatement, return, re-establishment, putting back.
cross-border (adjective) – across a border between two countries.
embark upon (phrasal verb) – start, begin, initiate.