Time for clarity: on Doklam stand-off – The Hindu (Jan 22, 2018)

Time for clarity: on Doklam stand-off – The Hindu (Jan 22, 2018)

Five months after the government claimed the victory of “quiet diplomacy” to bring the 73-day stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam to an end, the contours of the actual agreement and events that have followed remain a mystery. . For further reading, visit “The Hindu”.

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Courtesy: The Hindu

Word List-1 (To Improve English Vocabulary)

1. stand-off (noun) – deadlock, stalemate, impasse (in a dispute/conflict).
2. quiet diplomacy (noun) – it is a way of conduct of international relations (through the interaction of official representatives of governments or groups) to create conditions in which parties feel comfortable to act, in particular allowing parties calmly to evaluate positions and interests, to weigh options and consider independent and impartial advice.
3. contour (noun) – outline, shape, form.
4. plateau (noun) – an area of highland, high plain; flat terrain that is raised significantly above the surrounding area.
5. disengagement (noun) – withdrawal, departure, retreat (troops from an area).
6. face-off (noun) – battle, conflict, direct confrontation.
7. hitherto (adverb) – previously, formerly, earlier, so/thus far.
8. status quo (noun) – the present situation, the current state, the existing state of affairs.
9. discretion (noun) – carefulness, wariness; judgement.
10. divergence (noun) – difference, dissimilarity/variance; deviation/departure.
11. on the ground (phrase) – in a situation/place where things are happening really/practically.
12. roil (verb) – make annoyed/irritated.
13. bound to (adjective) – certain/sure, very likely, guaranteed.
14. raise eyebrows (phrase) – show surprise.
15. shelling (noun) – bombing, attacking, firing (with shells).
16. belligerent (adjective) – hostile, aggressive, threatening.
17. unravel (verb) –  become undone, fail, go wrong.
18. build-up (noun) – increase, accumulation, expansion/escalation.
19. at all costs (phrase) – regardless of the effort needed.
20. imperative (adjective) – very important, essential, crucial/critical.
21. ambiguity (noun) – inexactness, doubtfulness, uncertainty.
22. embrace (verb) – take up, adopt; involve.

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 purpose only and they may vary in different context. Use it with the corresponding article published on the source (website) via the link provided. 

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