Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Periodic reset: On India-ASEAN ties, ‘Act East’ policy

​Periodic reset: On India-ASEAN ties, ‘Act East’ policy

India needs to engage (शामिल होना) with ASEAN consistently (निरंतर, लगातार) on trade and security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brunei and Singapore last week was part of a deliberate (जानबूझकर) focus on India’s “Act East” policy by the government in its third tenure (कार्यकाल). Not since 2018, when ASEAN leaders were in India for a summit (शिखर सम्मेलन, बैठक) and the Republic Day parade, has New Delhi reached out (तक पहुँच) to the region in such a short time span (समय अवधि). He is expected to travel to Laos for the ASEAN-India summit, the Philippines, and Indonesia, later this year. In addition (इसके अलावा, साथ ही), New Delhi has laid out the red carpet (a privileged/special welcome & treatment) for the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Malaysia. The message to reconnect with each of the countries in South East Asia, and even forge (बनाना, स्थापित करना) new ties, is well considered (अच्छी तरह विचार किया गया, सुनियोजित) and overdue (pending, remaining, outstanding, delayed, belated). Mr. Modi’s visit was the first bilateral (द्विपक्षीय) visit by any Indian Prime Minister. This neglect (उपेक्षा, लापरवाही करना) of ties (संबंध) with a country that has strategic (रणनीतिक) ties with the U.S., trade ties with China, and is situated in the middle of ASEAN is telling (revealing, significant, important, striking, meaningful). While India’s trade with the ASEAN region has doubled (increase twofold) in the past decade (a period of ten years), it has actually declined with Brunei, with India ramping up (increase (in amount or number)) its oil imports from Russia since 2022. The two sides do not have a strategic partnership (it is a long-term interaction between two countries based on political, economic, social and historical factors), although the leaders discussed defence and geo-strategic (relating to the strategy of dealing with geopolitical issues) issues, and Mr. Modi took a veiled (indirect, implied, indistinct, concealed, hidden, unrevealed) jab at China. The two sides renewed their space cooperation, which hinges on Brunei hosting (have, introduce, arrange, organize) an ISRO station, and it remains to be seen whether other discussions on trade, investment and energy cooperation will bear fruit (yield/get results, succeed, be effective; become fruitful, become productive, become effective, be successful, pay off). In Singapore, the spotlight (public attention, public eye, limelight, notice, heed) during Mr. Modi’s visit was on semiconductors, given (considering, taking into account, bearing in mind) that Singapore is a major player in all parts of the electronics supply chain (a dynamic network when a company purchases or uses goods or services from others. It involves people, information, processes, and resources involved in the production, handling, and distribution of materials and finished products or providing a service to the customer). As India seeks (try, aim, attempt) more technical expertise (skill, knowledge, competence, proficiency, capability) and investment in rare earths (a set of seventeen metallic elements. They play an important role in semiconductor manufacturing) and chip making and Singapore seeks to defray (pay, pay for, cover, meet, settle (a cost or expense or responsibility)) some of the growing (increasing) land and labour costs of its semiconductor industry, the two could make a perfect fit (something that is perfectly compatible with something or someone), also de-risking (to eliminate risk (from), make safe) the process from U.S.-China-Taiwan tensions (strained relations, strain, unease), American protectionist (relating to an economic policy where a country imposes restrictions like tariffs, quotas, and subsidies to shield its domestic industries from foreign competition) policies and Chinese predatory (exploitative, greedy, rapacious, avaricious) practices. This could also correct (rectify, set right, improve) the drop (decline, decrease, slump) in Singapore’s FDI levels into India.

Hopes for more intense exchanges in technology, trade and investment can be realised only if the India-ASEAN engagement (participation, contribution, involvement) is more consistent. India’s exit from the ASEAN-led RCEP in 2019 was a blow (shock, surprise; setback/misfortune), and cuts India out of a large regional FTA. While New Delhi has refused to revise the decision despite ASEAN’s entreaties (plea, petition, appeal, earnest request, supplication), it must update the 2009 AITIGA and the 2005 CECA with Singapore. India’s commitment (responsibility, onus, accountability, obligation, liability) to “ASEAN centrality (the quality of being of the greatest importance)” on all strategic issues in the Indo-Pacific (the Indo-Pacific region refers to the confluence (convergence) of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, which interconnect in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and more)) has been warmly (positively, agreeably, graciously, well, amiably, passionately) received (welcome; listen to, respond to, take), but it needs to coordinate more closely on geopolitical (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) issues including Myanmar, the South China Sea and Quad (The ‘Quadrilateral’ is described as four democracies (the United States, Japan, Australia and India) with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region) engagement. While India’s historical ties with the region date (have existed since; goes back to; comes from) more than a millennium (a period of a thousand years), modern ties need a periodic reset, as governments have carried out in the past with the “Look East” policy (1992) and the Modi government’s Act East policy (2014).

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.periodic (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - नियमित, आवधिक
English Meaning - regular, periodical, recurrent, repeated, cyclical, occasional, infrequent, sporadic.

2.ties (noun)

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

3.engage (with) (verb)

Hindi Meaning - शामिल होना
English Meaning - participate in, take part in, take part in, join in, become involved in, involve (a talk/discussion).

4.consistently (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - निरंतर, लगातार
English Meaning - frequently, invariably, constantly, regularly, continuously.

5.deliberate (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - जानबूझकर
English Meaning - wilful, intentional, purposeful, conscious, pre-planned, premeditated.

6.tenure (noun)

Hindi Meaning - कार्यकाल
English Meaning - term, period of/in office; period, time, stint, watch, spell.

7.summit (noun)

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

8.reach out (phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning - तक पहुँच
English Meaning - contact someone to obtain/offer help/assistance/cooperation.

9.time span (noun)

Hindi Meaning - समय अवधि
English Meaning - a period of time; time period.

10.in addition (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - इसके अलावा, साथ ही
English Meaning - additionally, besides, furthermore, moreover, over and above.

11.forge (verb)

Hindi Meaning - बनाना, स्थापित करना
English Meaning - form, create, establish, set up.

12.well considered (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अच्छी तरह विचार किया गया, सुनियोजित
English Meaning - well-thought-out, well-planned, well-calculated, conscious, purposeful serious.

13.bilateral (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - द्विपक्षीय
English Meaning - involving two groups or countries.

14.neglect (noun)

Hindi Meaning - उपेक्षा, लापरवाही करना
English Meaning - negligence, carelessness, irresponsibility, heedlessness, unconcern, laxity.

15.strategic (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - रणनीतिक
English Meaning - relating to achieving long-term or overall goals.

16.double (verb)

English Meaning - increase twofold.

17.reset (noun)

English Meaning - re-setting; re-establishment, re-starting, re-commencing, reboot.

18.Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (noun)

English Meaning - a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation among its ten members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

19..Act East Policy (noun)

English Meaning - a diplomatic initiative by The Government of India to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels which would eventually provide enhanced connectivity to the states of North Eastern region. What began as ‘Look East’ launched in 1991 transformed into ‘Act East’ in 2014.

20.lay out (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - spread out, set out, arrange, present.

21.red carpet (noun)

English Meaning - a privileged/special welcome & treatment.

22.overdue (adjective)

English Meaning - pending, remaining, outstanding, delayed, belated.

23.telling (adjective)

English Meaning - revealing, significant, important, striking, meaningful.

24.decade (noun)

English Meaning - a period of ten years.

25.ramp up (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - increase (in amount or number).

26.strategic partnership (noun)

English Meaning - it is a long-term interaction between two countries based on political, economic, social and historical factors.

27.geo-strategic (adjective)

English Meaning - relating to the strategy of dealing with geopolitical issues.

28.veiled (adjective)

English Meaning - indirect, implied, indistinct, concealed, hidden, unrevealed.

29.take a jab at (phrase)

English Meaning - criticize, condemn, disparage.

30.hinge on (verb)

English Meaning - depend on, be based, be dependent.

31.host (verb)

English Meaning - have, introduce, arrange, organize.

32.Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) (noun)

English Meaning - Indian Space Research Organisation, formed in 1969, superseded the erstwhile Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). Vikram Sarabhai, having identified the role and importance of space technology in a Nation’s development, provided ISRO with the necessary direction to function as an agent of development. ISRO then embarked on its mission to provide the Nation space-based services and to develop the technologies to achieve the same independently.

33.bear fruit (phrase)

English Meaning - yield/get results, succeed, be effective; become fruitful, become productive, become effective, be successful, pay off.

34.spotlight (noun)

English Meaning - public attention, public eye, limelight, notice, heed.

35.given (preposition)

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

36.supply chain (noun)

English Meaning - a dynamic network when a company purchases or uses goods or services from others. It involves people, information, processes, and resources involved in the production, handling, and distribution of materials and finished products or providing a service to the customer.

37.seek (verb)

English Meaning - try, aim, attempt.

38.expertise (noun)

English Meaning - skill, knowledge, competence, proficiency, capability.

39.rare earth (noun)

English Meaning - a set of seventeen metallic elements. They play an important role in semiconductor manufacturing.

40.defray (verb)

English Meaning - pay, pay for, cover, meet, settle (a cost or expense or responsibility).

41.growing (adjective)

English Meaning - increasing.

42.perfect fit (noun)

English Meaning - something that is perfectly compatible with something or someone.

43.de-risk (verb)

English Meaning - to eliminate risk (from), make safe.

44.tensions (noun)

English Meaning - strained relations, strain, unease.

45.protectionist (adjective)

English Meaning - relating to an economic policy where a country imposes restrictions like tariffs, quotas, and subsidies to shield its domestic industries from foreign competition.

46.predatory (adjective)

English Meaning - exploitative, greedy, rapacious, avaricious.

47.correct (verb)

English Meaning - rectify, set right, improve.

48.drop (noun)

English Meaning - decline, decrease, slump.

49.foreign direct investment (FDI) (noun)

English Meaning - Investment from one country into another (normally by companies rather than governments) that involves establishing operations or acquiring tangible assets, including stakes in other businesses.

50.engagement (noun)

English Meaning - participation, contribution, involvement.

51.Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (noun)

English Meaning - a proposed agreement between the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its free trade agreement (FTA) partners. The pact aims to cover trade in goods and services, intellectual property, etc.

52.blow (noun)

English Meaning - shock, surprise; setback/misfortune.

53.cut out (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - exclude, leave out, eliminate.

54.Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (noun)

English Meaning - 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.

55.entreaty (noun)

English Meaning - plea, petition, appeal, earnest request, supplication.

56.The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) (noun)

English Meaning - a trade agreement between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It was signed and entered into force on 1 January 2010.

57.Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) (noun)

English Meaning - an agreement between two countires to strengthen bilateral trade. The aim of the agreement is to enhance economic and social benefits, improve living standards and ensure high and steady growth in real incomes in their respective territories by expansion of trade and investment flows, to promote economics development and to promote investment between them.

58.commitment (noun)

English Meaning - responsibility, onus, accountability, obligation, liability.

59.centrality (noun)

English Meaning - the quality of being of the greatest importance.

60.The Indo-Pacific (region) (noun)

English Meaning - the Indo-Pacific region refers to the confluence (convergence) of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, which interconnect in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and more).

61.warmly (adverb)

English Meaning - positively, agreeably, graciously, well, amiably, passionately

62.receive (verb)

English Meaning - welcome; listen to, respond to, take.

63.geopolitical (adjective)

English Meaning - 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.

64.Quad/Quadrilateral (noun)

English Meaning - The ‘Quadrilateral’ is described as four democracies (the United States, Japan, Australia and India) with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.

65.date (verb)

English Meaning - have existed since; goes back to; comes from.

66.millennium (noun)

English Meaning - a period of a thousand years.

67.carry out (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - conduct, perform, bring about, fulfil.