The Hindu Editorial (​Building capacities) – Mar 10, 2025

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The Hindu Editorial (​​​Building capacities) – Mar 10, 2025:

1. capacity building (noun) – capacity development; it has typically been defined as the development and strengthening of human and institutional resources. The United Nations Development Programme defines capacity as “the ability to perform functions, solve problems, and achieve objectives” at three levels: individual, institutional and societal. 
2. talks (noun) – discussion, discourse, debate, dialogue, deliberation, negotiation, parley.
3. accelerated (adjective) – increased, escalated, intensified, heightened, augmented, strengthened.
4. trade diplomacy (noun) – the deployment of diplomatic tools by state representatives to promote and support commercial interests across national borders, with the aim to obtain
   value in terms of both strategic and economic benefits.
5. diplomacy (noun) – international politics, foreign affairs, foreign policy; negotiations, discussions, talks, dialogue (related to international politics).
6. breach (noun) – contravention, infringement, violation, breaking, lack of compliance with, non-observance, defiance.
7. Khalistani (adjective) – supporting Khalistan movement.
8. Khalistanis (noun) – people who are related/connected to the Khalistan movement (a Sikh separatist movement) seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing a sovereign state, called Khālistān (‘Land of the Khalsa’), in the Punjab region.
9. overshadow (verb) – conceal, obscure, block out, dominate, overlook.  
10. displeasure (noun) – annoyance, irritation, vexation, upset, anger, indignation; disapproval, dissatisfaction, discontent, disgruntlement.
11. host (noun) – a country that provides services, resources, etc., as for an event/meeting.
12. side-step (verb) – avoid, circumvent, find a way round, bypass, evade, dodge (something problematic).
13. scare (noun) – a sudden attack.
14. pickup (noun) – improvement, recovery, revival.
15. consulate (noun) – the office or position of a consul (diplomat/ambassador). It is a smaller diplomatic mission in that country’s major cities whereas An Embassy is situated in the capital of a country.
16. 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.
17. due (adjective) – expected, awaited, anticipated, scheduled for.
18. Brexit (noun) – a term used for the (supposed) departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
19. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) (noun) – a formal agreement/deal between two countries which outlines specific terms for trade, commerce, transit, or investment.
20. bilateral (adjective) – involving two groups or countries.
21. underpowered (adjective) – having insufficient power for its effectiveness.
22. enhance (verb) – increase, intensify, strengthen, heighten, boost, upgrade, augment.
23. collaboration (noun) – cooperation, alliance, partnership, association.
24. conciliatory (adjective) – appeasing, pacifying, peacemaking.
25. sticking point (noun) – obstacle, bone of contention; a problem or issue that makes you can’t move beyond and it stops all progress and you are stuck.
26. tariff (noun) – a tax imposed by one country on the goods and services imported from another country.
27. spirit (noun) – liquor, alcoholic drink.
28. in deference to (phrase) – with respect for; in consideration of.
29. deference (noun) – submission, obedience, surrender, capitulation; (respect, regard; consideration, courtesy).
30. case in point (noun) – example, sample ,instance, occasion, specimen.
31. negotiate (verb) – discuss terms, hold talks, talk.
32. in that sense (phrase) –  by a particular understanding of a statement/situation.
33. alliance (noun) – coalition, affiliation, relationship, partnership.
34. the wind in someone’s sails (phrase) –  the support for someone to reach his/her objectives.
35. take the wind out of someone’s sails (phrase) – If you take the wind out of someone’s sails, you keep/prevent them from reaching their objectives. You create a barrier or block them in some way; disappoint, let down, discourage.
36. delegation (noun) – delegates, (diplomatic) mission, representatives, deputation, envoys, emissaries, group.
37. European Commission (EC) (noun) – the (European Union) EU’s politically independent executive arm. It is alone responsible for drawing up proposals for new European legislation, and it implements the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
38. impart (verb) – communicate, pass on, convey, transmit (information/knowledge to someone). 
39. come close on the heels of (phrase) – to happen very soon after something; close behind, soon after, right after, following closely, immediately following.
40. showdown (noun) – confrontation, face-off, clash.
41. led to past & past participle of lead to (verb) – cause, result in, bring on, bring about, produce, give rise to.
42. summit (noun) – meeting, conference, conclave (international meeting/conference of heads of state/government).
43. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (noun) – NATO was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
44. held past participle of hold (verb) – conduct, organize, arrange.
45. Coalition of the Willing (noun phrase) – it refers to a pragmatic ad hoc grouping of countries allied for a common cause, typically a joint military effort.
46. the Willing (phrase) – a person who is ready/prepared to do something.
47. 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.
48. calculation (noun) – projection, prediction, indication, forecast, prognosis, speculation, expectation (of future events or trends).
49. stand to (noun) – be in a situation where one is likely to do/get something.
50. lend/offer/give a hand (phrase) – assist, aid, help, support.

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 (Building capacities) – Mar 10, 2025: