Hindi English Translation || Editorial || In the middle: On India’s role in Russia-Ukraine crisis

In the middle: On India’s role in Russia-Ukraine crisis

On the Ukraine war India must fulfill its responsibilities as a non-aligned (गैर गठबंधन) democracy

Forty days into the war in Ukraine, India’s role appears to be more relevant (प्रासंगिक, उपयुक्त, उचित) than other countries may have expected, evident (स्पष्ट, प्रत्यक्ष, दृश्यमान) from the stream (धारा, नदी) of dignitaries (गणमान्य अतिथि, महत्वपूर्ण / उल्लेखनीय व्यक्ति) from overseas (विदेश से, समुद्र पार से) over the past two weeks. Most were from countries that are a part of the U.S. and EU-led sanctions (प्रतिबंध, उजाज़तें, अनुज्ञायाँ) regime (शासन, प्रणाली) against Russia. Their messages were three-pronged (having three different parts): asking India to change its vote at the UN, where it has abstained (not vote, decline to vote, refuse to vote (formally)) from all resolutions (प्रस्ताव, संकल्प) critical (गंभीर, महत्वपूर्ण) of Russia’s invasion (आक्रमण, कब्जा, अधिग्रहण); to request that India not “accelerate (increase, rise; speed up, hurry up, expedite, hasten)” its purchases of Russian oil being offered at discount; and to discourage (हतोत्साहित करना, रोकना, टालना) India from using the rupee-rouble national currency-based payment mechanisms (तंत्र, व्यवस्था) that could subvert (पलट देना, कमजोर करना, क्षति पहुंचाना) “backfilling (restore, reload, refill) sanctions”. The messages got sharper and more public (known, widely known, overt, plain, obvious) as it became clear that New Delhi would also host (receive guests, have guests, play host, provide hospitality; arrange, organize, have (an event)) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and officials from the West hoped to turn India’s position to their side. However, the red carpet (greeting, welcoming; warm welcoming treatment to a visitor) welcome he received, including a cordial (friendly, warm, affable, amiable, pleasant, affectionate, warm-hearted, good-natured) meeting with the Prime Minister, appeared to make it clear (explain, clarify, elucidate) that New Delhi is not amenable to (susceptible, receptive, responsive, reactive, vulnerable) the pressure. The External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, and the Finance Minister also reinforced (strengthen, fortify, bolster up, shore up, buttress, prop up, underpin, support) the position of the Indian “national interest (common concerns (in politics/business))”, given (considering, taking into account, bearing in mind) that European countries have yet to curtail oil intakes from Russia. It is likely that the U.S. will make another attempt to veer the Government off its chosen course (approach, strategy, system, procedure) when Mr. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visit Washington for the “2+2” meetings, where a possible waiver (deferral, rejection, renunciation (with no stipulations/restrictions)) of CAATSA sanctions against India for the purchase of the Russian S-400 systems will also be discussed. The U.S. is also keen (ready, prepared, disposed, inclined) to squeeze (have a damaging effect on something) Russia on the multilateral (involving many different countries (in which all WTO member countries are party to the agreement)) stage, with proposals to exclude it from the G-20 summit (meeting, conference, conclave) this year, and suspend it from the Human Rights Council (The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. The Council is created on 15 March 2006 and it is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly. The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights).

While the Government cannot be faulted for its refusal to bow to external pressure, it must consider the importance of remaining flexible (accommodating, adaptable, amenable, willing to compromise, cooperative, tolerant) on what its stand (stance, point of view, viewpoint, opinion, standpoint, position, perspective, approach) both at the UN and in bilateral (involving two groups or countries) conversations is going to be, given the ground situation (practical condition) in Ukraine. Reports of gross (flagrant, overt, blatant, glaring, obvious/ evident; total/complete) human rights (Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination) violations blamed on the Russian army could change the complexion of the war, and India’s call (demand, requirement, need) for an independent inquiry (investigation, particularly an official one) into the allegations (charge, accusation, indictment) is an important intervention (the process of intervening in something; involvement, interference). In addition, the U.S. and the EU are likely to tighten (make stricter, make more rigorous, make more stringent, stiffen, toughen) economic sanctions, as the current restrictions have not made Russia reconsider its course. With Russia unlikely (doubtful, implausible, improbable, questionable) to relinquish (hand over, let go of, surrender, give up) areas of Eastern Ukraine, and its western rivals (opponent, adversary, enemy, foe) not likely to let up their counter-measures (corrective action; solution, answer, antidote, cure), New Delhi must realise that its value to the two sides will last (continue, go on, carry on; stay, remain, persist, endure) while it remains uncommitted (non-aligned, non-partisan, neutral, impartial, independent) to either side. This will require having a keen eye on rapid developments in the theatre (place of action, arena) of war, an ear on what partners on both sides plan next, and the ability to keep its mind open on where India’s responsibilities, as a global democracy, and a truly non-aligned power, lie (be present, exist).

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.in the middle (of) (phrase)

Hindi Meaning - बीच में, मध्य में
English Meaning - in the midst of; in the process of doing something.

2.non-aligned (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - गैर गठबंधन
English Meaning - relating to a state (country) in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). (after the World War 2, the NAM was set up with an aim to “create an independent path in world politics that would not result in member States becoming pawns in the struggles between the major power blocs (Western/Capitalist bloc aligned with the USA or Eastern/Soviet bloc aligned with the former Soviet Union).

3.relevant (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - प्रासंगिक, उपयुक्त, उचित
English Meaning - appropriate, apt, suitable, proper; connected, related; to the point, to the purpose, germane.

4.evident (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - स्पष्ट, प्रत्यक्ष, दृश्यमान
English Meaning - obvious, clear, visible, discernible, perceptible, noticeable, recognizable.

5.stream (noun)

Hindi Meaning - धारा, नदी
English Meaning - a mass/group of people moving continuously in the same direction.

6.dignitary (noun)

Hindi Meaning - गणमान्य अतिथि, महत्वपूर्ण / उल्लेखनीय व्यक्ति
English Meaning - important/notable person, VIP, leader.

7.from overseas (phrase)

Hindi Meaning - विदेश से, समुद्र पार से
English Meaning - from abroad; from a foreign country.

8.sanctions (noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतिबंध, उजाज़तें, अनुज्ञायाँ
English Meaning - action taken, or an order given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc.

9.regime (noun)

Hindi Meaning - शासन, प्रणाली
English Meaning - system.

10.resolution (noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रस्ताव, संकल्प
English Meaning - a formal decision taken at a meeting with the help of a vote; motion, proposal.

11.critical (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - गंभीर, महत्वपूर्ण
English Meaning - significant, important, paramount, serious, crucial.

12.invasion (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आक्रमण, कब्जा, अधिग्रहण
English Meaning - occupation, conquering, capture, seizure, annexation, annexing, takeover.

13.discourage (verb)

Hindi Meaning - हतोत्साहित करना, रोकना, टालना
English Meaning - prevent, stop, avert, put off.

14.mechanism (noun)

Hindi Meaning - तंत्र, व्यवस्था
English Meaning - system, arrangement, regime, apparatus.

15.subvert (verb)

Hindi Meaning - पलट देना, कमजोर करना, क्षति पहुंचाना
English Meaning - weaken, undermine, sabotage, damage.

16.three-pronged (adjective)

English Meaning - having three different parts.

17.abstain (verb)

English Meaning - not vote, decline to vote, refuse to vote (formally).

18.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.

19.accelerate (verb)

English Meaning - increase, rise; speed up, hurry up, expedite, hasten.

20.rupee-rouble system (noun)

English Meaning - Indian and Russian industries are making transactions and payment in trade relations via Rupee-Rouble (exchange) method instead of using dollars for transactions. (Rouble is the currency of the Russian Federation).

21.backfill (verb)

English Meaning - restore, reload, refill.

22.sharper comparative adjective of sharp (adjective)

English Meaning - loud, intense, harsh, strident, high-pitched.

23.public (adjective)

English Meaning - known, widely known, overt, plain, obvious.

24.host (verb)

English Meaning - receive guests, have guests, play host, provide hospitality; arrange, organize, have (an event).

25.the West (noun)

English Meaning - The Western world/civilization consisting of the majority of Europe & the North America.

26.red carpet (noun)

English Meaning - greeting, welcoming; warm welcoming treatment to a visitor.

27.cordial (adjective)

English Meaning - friendly, warm, affable, amiable, pleasant, affectionate, warm-hearted, good-natured.

28.make clear (phrase)

English Meaning - explain, clarify, elucidate.

29.amenable to (adjective)

English Meaning - susceptible, receptive, responsive, reactive, vulnerable.

30.reinforce (verb)

English Meaning - strengthen, fortify, bolster up, shore up, buttress, prop up, underpin, support.

31.interest (noun)

English Meaning - common concerns (in politics/business).

32.given (preposition)

English Meaning - considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.

33.curtail (verb)

English Meaning - decrease, lessen, reduce, restrict, limit.

34.intake (noun)

English Meaning - supply.

35.likely (adverb)

English Meaning - probably, in all probability, presumably, doubtlessly.

36.veer off (verb)

English Meaning - change direction, deviate, diverge.

37.course (noun)

English Meaning - approach, strategy, system, procedure.

38.2+2 talks/meetings (noun)

English Meaning - ‘2+2 talks’ is a term adopted in foreign diplomacy that implies a dialogue between two countries’ defence and external affairs ministries. India holds such talks with Japan and Australia as well but at the foreign secretary and defence secretary level. It is only with the US that India holds ministerial-level talks.

39.waiver (noun)

English Meaning - deferral, rejection, renunciation (with no stipulations/restrictions).

40.Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) (noun)

English Meaning - CAATSA is a specifically enacted legislation that aims to prevent revenue from flowing to Russia.

41.S-400 (Triumf) missile defence system (noun)

English Meaning - Developed by Russia, the S-400 (Triumph/Triumf) air defence system integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and command and control centre. It is capable of firing three types of missiles to create a layered defence. The S-400 is capable of destroying incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones within a range of up to 400 km. It has a tracking capability of nearly 600 km.

42.keen (adjective)

English Meaning - ready, prepared, disposed, inclined.

43.squeeze (verb)

English Meaning - have a damaging effect on something.

44.multilateral (adjective)

English Meaning - involving many different countries (in which all WTO member countries are party to the agreement).

45.G-20 (noun)

English Meaning - The G20, formed in 1999, is a group of twenty of the world’s largest economies that meets regularly to coordinate global policy on trade, health, climate, and other issues. It brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies. The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK and USA. The G20 Countries together represent around 90% of global GDP, 80% of global trade, and two thirds of the world’s population.

46.summit (noun)

English Meaning - meeting, conference, conclave.

47.UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) (noun)

English Meaning - The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. The Council is created on 15 March 2006 and it is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly. The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

48.fault (verb)

English Meaning - criticize, find fault with.

49.bow (verb)

English Meaning - bend under pressure.

50.flexible (adjective)

English Meaning - accommodating, adaptable, amenable, willing to compromise, cooperative, tolerant.

51.stand (noun)

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

52.bilateral (adjective)

English Meaning - involving two groups or countries.

53.ground situation (noun)

English Meaning - practical condition.

54.gross (adjective)

English Meaning - flagrant, overt, blatant, glaring, obvious/ evident; total/complete.

55.human rights (noun)

English Meaning - Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

56.violation (noun)

English Meaning - contravention, breaking, non-compliance.

57.complexion (noun)

English Meaning - nature, character; aspect.

58.call (for) (noun)

English Meaning - demand, requirement, need.

59.inquiry (noun)

English Meaning - investigation, particularly an official one.

60.allegation (noun)

English Meaning - charge, accusation, indictment.

61.intervention (noun)

English Meaning - the process of intervening in something; involvement, interference.