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Newspaper Vocabulary Analysis: article#9

Hello aspirants!

As you all are appearing in various competitive exams such as Banking, SSC, railways etc., it is very important for all of you to have good General Knowledge and strong command over English language. Nowadays vocabulary is asked in different forms in Banking and other exams. There can be direct vocabulary questions or questions can be asked in indirect forms as in cloze test, fill in the blanks, synonyms, antonyms and many more. We can not deny the fact that vocabulary is inevitable aspect, so here in this section we will discuss an article from any renowned newspaper and highlight some useful words and phrases with their meanings.




Article#9

source: TOI Editorials




Find that fit: 2+2 Dialogue with the US must make the most of aligned interests


The first 2+2 Dialogue between India and the US – bringing together the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries – being held in New Delhi today is a great opportunity to enhance bilateral ties in the changing geopolitical climate. In fact, the Dialogue itself is proof that India-US relations have come a long way since the Cold War era, when it was marked by suspicion and hostility.


 However, New Delhi’s foreign policy mavens need to realise that geopolitics is changing again, in ways that bring new dangers as well as new opportunities. New Delhi must be nimble enough to adapt and make the most of fresh developments.


mavens : an expert or connoisseur

nimble : able to think and understand quickly; quick and light in movement or action, agile


It wouldn’t be stretching things too far to say that at this point, and for the foreseeable future, America is and will be India’s most important foreign relationship. Their ties encompass the gamut of trade, investment, defence, technology and people-to-people relationships.


foreseeable: occurring within a reasonably short time from the moment of utterance;
 capable of being anticipated; capable of being foretold.

encompass: to include comprehensively; include in scope

gamut: a complete range or extent


But one development that restricts New Delhi’s space for manoeuvre is the sharpening confrontation between the US and Russia. Moscow’s interventions in Ukraine and interference in the 2016 US presidential elections have rankled Washington.


manoeuvrea movement or action requiring dexterity and skill



rankled: to cause persistent irritation or resentment


 Meanwhile, the current Trump administration’s approach to China, pushing back on unfair Chinese trade practices and hegemonic moves in the South China Sea and elsewhere in Asia, perfectly suits India.


hegemonic the predominance of one state or social group over others.


US sanctions on Russia mean that any country engaged with the latter’s defence sector could face secondary American sanctions. India is seeking waivers from such sanctions in light of its planned purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system.


sanctions:  a)support or encouragement;
                   b) to give official authorization or approval to.
                   c) the penalty for noncompliance with a law or legal order

waiversan agreement that you do not have to pay or obey something;
 an official decision that a rule, or agreement does not have to be
obeyed, or that you will not ask for something that you have a right to.



 Meanwhile, US defence sales to India have been increasing over the years. Any attempt to limit India’s strategic autonomy by, for example, thwarting the S-400 sale will be resisted by India, crimping India-US defence cooperation and possibly other aspects of the relationship. The sale should not be seen as a stumbling block by Washington.


thwarting: to stop something from happening or to stop someone from doing something

crimpingobstructing or hampering; to hinder

stumbling: a mistake or blunder; a false step


But the trickiest issue currently afflicting the relationship is trade. The Trump administration’s mercantilist approach has seen India caught in the cross hairs of America’s import tariffs.


afflictingto cause suffering or unhappiness to; distress greatly

mercantilistthe practice, methods, or spirit of merchants; commercialism



phrase:--- " in the cross hairs"in the position in which other people are eager to criticize or attack.


However, if the US is serious about empowering India to achieve its own objectives in South and Southeast Asia, it must cut New Delhi some slack. Trump has been trying to re-orient American foreign policy by getting allies to do more. And India is willing to step up. It’s with this in mind that the 2+2 Dialogue should lay the foundation of a win-win strategic partnership.



phrase:--- "cut someone some slack"to be lenient or do something that makes a situation easier for someone.


Hope this will help ! 😊😊

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