Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​War and peace: On India and a Russia-Ukraine peace initiative

​War and peace: On India and a Russia-Ukraine peace initiative

India is not well-placed to broker a ceasefire (युद्धविराम, संघर्ष विराम) between Russia and Ukraine

Just days after his visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s telephonic conversations with U.S. President Joseph Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have raised hopes that New Delhi is ready to take the plunge (to commit oneself to something (a risky task/decision); to decide to do something you, in fact, want to do (even if it is a risky or dangerous one); go for it, throw caution to the wind, go all out) and attempt peacemaking (शांति स्थापना, शांति प्रक्रिया) in the Russia-Ukraine conflict (संघर्ष, युद्ध, टकराव). Mr. Modi’s travel to the UN in September, where he will meet U.S. and European leaders and possibly (संभवत:) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again, and another visit to Russia in October for the BRICS summit, have fuelled (encourage, support, stimulate, boost, intensify) those hopes. However, those who are boosting (बढ़ाना, उन्नति करना) speculation (the act of forming opinions about what may happen without knowing all the facts; conjecture, guesswork, hypothesis, supposition, assumption) of an Indian role may benefit from a careful consideration (विचार, परामर्श) of the circumstances (परिस्थितियाँ, हालात), and India’s position thus far (अब तक, इस समय तक). Since the 2022 Russian invasion (आक्रमण, हमला) of Ukraine, India has remained distant from the outcomes (परिणाम, नतीजा) of what External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had once called “Europe’s war” and any peace process that does not involve bringing Russia and Ukraine to the table for talks (बातचीत, वार्ता). It had even disassociated (अलग करना, जुदा करना) itself from the Swiss peace summit. While Mr. Modi has consistently said that India is “on the side of peace” alone, New Delhi has been seen to be partial (पक्षपाती, एकतरफा) to Moscow, given (देखते हुए, दिया गया) its historical ties (संबंध, बंधन) and military and energy dependencies. It will need to recast (correct, alter, change) itself in a more unbiased (impartial, unprejudiced, neutral, even-handed, dispassionate, fair, non-partisan) image (public perception, public impression, identity, persona, profile). Meanwhile, the war continues without pause (temporary stoppage, break, interval), indicating the belief in both parties of there still being military gains to be made. That Russia launched deadly attacks on Ukraine just before the Modi Moscow visit in July, and Ukraine carried out operations (military operation(s), offensive, attack, manoeuvre(s), engagement) into Russia’s Kursk Oblast just before his visit to Kyiv last week, demonstrate the dangerous power play (approach/strategy showing someone’s power/influence) and messaging Mr. Zelenskyy and Mr. Putin can indulge in (become involved in something that you like (a particular desire, interest, etc.); become involved in (an undesirable activity)), regardless of (in spite of everything, Irrespective of, without regard to, without reference to, notwithstanding, no matter, without considering, disregarding) their guest’s sensitivities (diplomacy, empathy, consideration, understanding, affection, fellow feeling, compassion).

With such entrenched ((of an idea, attitude or habit) strongly fixed and cannot be changed; ingrained, established, well established, deep-seated, deep-rooted; irremovable, indelible, ineradicable) positions, New Delhi must proceed with care if it indeed (actually, in actuality, in reality, really, in fact, certainly, to be sure) seeks (try, aim, attempt) to join the ranks of (to become a part/member of a large group) others wanting (wish for; desire to do something) involvement in conflict resolution (decision, declaration, solution, settlement). Successful efforts have been few, and have required focused agendas — the Black Sea Grain Initiative (The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in Istanbul on 22 July 2022 to resume vital food and fertilizer exports from designated Ukrainian seaports. The Initiative specifically allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea); the IAEA effort, on nuclear safety at the Zaporizhzhia power plant; and the latest exchange of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners. India must also articulate (express, voice, communicate, convey, talk of, mention) its own principles for a ceasefire compromise (agreement, understanding, settlement, middle ground, deal) and lasting (enduring, long-lasting, continuing, long-lived, perpetual, perennial, steady, permanent, long-standing) peace. The Modi government may well benefit from studying India’s own history: In the 1950s, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, at the instance of Vienna, mediated (negotiate, conciliate, moderate, arbitrate, act as peacemaker) with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev on troops (forces, armed forces, soldiers) withdrawal from the north-east zone of Austria post-war, in return for promises of Austrian neutrality (non-alignment, non-participation, non-involvement). An Indian peace initiative will be further complicated by the proposals Ukraine and Russia have themselves put forth: Mr. Zelenskyy insists on a full military withdrawal (retreat, pullout, pullback, disengagement, departure (of military troops from an area of conflict)) from Ukraine by Russia first, and Mr. Putin has called for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from regions now occupied by Russia, and for Kyiv to formally give up (abandon, renounce, forgo, discontinue, quit, abstain from, have done with) any efforts to join NATO.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.ceasefire (noun)

Hindi Meaning - युद्धविराम, संघर्ष विराम
English Meaning - a negotiated agreement that will be accompanied by other associated commitments to de-escalate the fighting; a temporary stoppage of a war, truce, armistice.

2.peacemaking (noun)

Hindi Meaning - शांति स्थापना, शांति प्रक्रिया
English Meaning - the diplomatic efforts to end conflict; pacification, compromise, conciliation, accommodation.

3.conflict (noun)

Hindi Meaning - संघर्ष, युद्ध, टकराव
English Meaning - war, warfare, armed conflict, military action, armed clash.

4.possibly (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - संभवत:
English Meaning - perhaps, feasibly, hopefully, may be, it may/could be, very likely.

5.boost (verb)

Hindi Meaning - बढ़ाना, उन्नति करना
English Meaning - raise.

6.consideration (noun)

Hindi Meaning - विचार, परामर्श
English Meaning - thought, deliberation, contemplation, examination, analysis.

7.circumstances (noun)

Hindi Meaning - परिस्थितियाँ, हालात
English Meaning - conditions, situations, state of affairs, happenings, turn of events, context.

8.thus far (phrase)

Hindi Meaning - अब तक, इस समय तक
English Meaning - until now, up to this point, hitherto, to date.

9.invasion (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आक्रमण, हमला
English Meaning - attack, assault, offensive, onslaught, foray, sortie.

10.outcome (noun)

Hindi Meaning - परिणाम, नतीजा
English Meaning - end result, implication, ramification, repercussion.

11.talks (noun)

Hindi Meaning - बातचीत, वार्ता
English Meaning - meeting, parley, dialogue, negotiation, summit, discussion, deliberation.

12.disassociate (verb)

Hindi Meaning - अलग करना, जुदा करना
English Meaning - dissociate, separate, detach; break away from, break off relations with.

13.partial (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - पक्षपाती, एकतरफा
English Meaning - biased, prejudiced, one-sided, preferential, interested.

14.given (preposition)

Hindi Meaning - देखते हुए, दिया गया
English Meaning - considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.

15.ties (noun)

Hindi Meaning - संबंध, बंधन
English Meaning - association, relationship, bond, connection.

16.well-placed (adjective)

English Meaning - well-positioned or well-deployed.

17.broker (verb)

English Meaning - settle, arrange, negotiate, pull off, mediate (an agreement).

18.Kyiv (proper noun)

English Meaning - the capital city of Ukraine.

19.take the plunge (phrase)

English Meaning - to commit oneself to something (a risky task/decision); to decide to do something you, in fact, want to do (even if it is a risky or dangerous one); go for it, throw caution to the wind, go all out.

20.BRICS countries (plural noun)

English Meaning - 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. On 1 January 2024, BRICS admitted four new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has joined Brics, the alliance of major developing countries, along with four other nations.

21.summit (noun)

English Meaning - meeting, conference, conclave (international meeting/conference of heads of state/government).

22.fuel (verb)

English Meaning - encourage, support, stimulate, boost, intensify.

23.speculation (noun)

English Meaning - the act of forming opinions about what may happen without knowing all the facts; conjecture, guesswork, hypothesis, supposition, assumption.

24.position (noun)

English Meaning - stance, standpoint, disposition, point of view, viewpoint, opinion, perspective.

25.remain distant from (phrase)

English Meaning - to avoid going near someone; keep your distance.

26.bring something to the table (phrase)

English Meaning - contribute/offer something (of high value) to a discussion/meeting.

27.bring someone to the table (phrase)

English Meaning - to cause someone to come for a discussion/negotiation.

28.Swiss peace summit OR Peace Conference OR the Summit on Peace in Ukraine (noun)

English Meaning - An international peace summit in relation to the Russo-Ukrainian War, formally called the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, was held in Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland on 15–16 June 2024.

29.recast (verb)

English Meaning - correct, alter, change.

30.unbiased (adjective)

English Meaning - impartial, unprejudiced, neutral, even-handed, dispassionate, fair, non-partisan.

31.image (noun)

English Meaning - public perception, public impression, identity, persona, profile.

32.pause (noun)

English Meaning - temporary stoppage, break, interval.

33.carry out (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - conduct, perform, implement, execute, bring about.

34.operations (noun)

English Meaning - military operation(s), offensive, attack, manoeuvre(s), engagement.

35.power play (noun)

English Meaning - approach/strategy showing someone’s power/influence.

36.indulge in (verb)

English Meaning - become involved in something that you like (a particular desire, interest, etc.); become involved in (an undesirable activity).

37.regardless of (preposition)

English Meaning - in spite of everything, Irrespective of, without regard to, without reference to, notwithstanding, no matter, without considering, disregarding.

38.sensitivity (noun)

English Meaning - diplomacy, empathy, consideration, understanding, affection, fellow feeling, compassion.

39.entrenched (adjective)

English Meaning - (of an idea, attitude or habit) strongly fixed and cannot be changed; ingrained, established, well established, deep-seated, deep-rooted; irremovable, indelible, ineradicable.

40.indeed (adverb)

English Meaning - actually, in actuality, in reality, really, in fact, certainly, to be sure.

41.seek (verb)

English Meaning - try, aim, attempt.

42.join the ranks of (phrase)

English Meaning - to become a part/member of a large group.

43.want (verb)

English Meaning - wish for; desire to do something.

44.involvement (noun)

English Meaning - participation, collaboration, association, connection, relations.

45.resolution (noun)

English Meaning - decision, declaration, solution, settlement.

46.UN resolution (noun)

English Meaning - United Nations resolution is formal expression of the opinion or will of United Nations organs. It is a decision or declaration voted on by all member states of the United Nations and it usually requires a simple majority (50 percent of all votes plus one) to pass. Although any UN body can issue resolutions, in practice most resolutions are issued by the Security Council or the General Assembly.

47.Black Sea Grain Initiative (noun)

English Meaning - The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in Istanbul on 22 July 2022 to resume vital food and fertilizer exports from designated Ukrainian seaports. The Initiative specifically allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.

48.International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (noun)

English Meaning - an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957.

49.articulate (verb)

English Meaning - express, voice, communicate, convey, talk of, mention.

50.compromise (noun)

English Meaning - agreement, understanding, settlement, middle ground, deal.

51.lasting (adjective)

English Meaning - enduring, long-lasting, continuing, long-lived, perpetual, perennial, steady, permanent, long-standing.

52.mediate (verb)

English Meaning - negotiate, conciliate, moderate, arbitrate, act as peacemaker.

53.troops (noun)

English Meaning - forces, armed forces, soldiers.

54.withdrawal (noun)

English Meaning - retreat, pullout, pullback, disengagement, departure (of military troops from an area of conflict).

55.neutrality (noun)

English Meaning - non-alignment, non-participation, non-involvement.

56.put forth (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - suggest, put forward, propose, present, recommend.

57.call for (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - require, need, necessitate, make necessary, demand, publicly ask for.

58.give up (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - abandon, renounce, forgo, discontinue, quit, abstain from, have done with.

59.North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (noun)

English Meaning - NATO was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.