Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Three to tangle: On U.S. refitting Pakistan F-16s

Three to tangle: On U.S. refitting Pakistan F-16s

The Pakistan factor should not undermine (कमजोर करना, तोड़ना, क्षति पहुँचाना) India’s close security ties (संबंधों, बंधन, योजक रेखा) with the U.S.

India is understandably upset with the U.S.’s decision to refurbish the F-16 fighter fleet (बेड़ा, नौसेना, जहाजों का बेड़ा) of Pakistan. The fleet has been the backbone (रीड की हड्डी, आधारशिला, नींव) of the Pakistan Air Force since the early 1980s, upgraded, and replenished (भरपाई, पुनर्स्थापित करें, नवीनीकृत करें) periodically (समय-समय, कभी-कभी). As the partnership between the two countries grew over the years, including and particularly in the defence sector, India continuously raised its concerns on this account with U.S. interlocutors (वार्ताकार, संभाषी). Successive (लगातार, क्रमिक) U.S. administrations (प्रशासन, शासन) have maintained (बनाए रखना, जारी रखना) that the defence partnership with Pakistan, which is a major non-NATO ally (मित्र, साथी), is a critical component (element, constituent, unit) of its global war on terror — a point contested (प्रतियोगिता, विरोध करना, चुनौती देना) by India. In 2016, the U.S. Congress (legislative assembly, parliament; The United States Congress is the bicameral (two chambers) legislature of the federal government of the United States, and consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate) stalled (obstruct, impede, hinder, hamper, block, interrupt, stop) the Obama administration’s move (कदम, क्रिया) to give more F-16 fighters to Pakistan. New Delhi’s apprehensions (doubt, misgiving, disquiet, concern) came true in February 2019, a day after the Balakot air strike (attack, air attack, assault) by the Indian Air Force, when Pakistan deployed (employ forces/troops into effective action) its F-16s to target Indian military bases (camp, post, headquarters (of the armed forces)) close to the Line of Control. The Indian Army recovered debris (broken pieces, rubble, wreckage) of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (a self-propelled/rocket-propelled weapon designed to deliver a conventional/nuclear explosive warhead with great accuracy at high speed; projectile) fired by the F-16s. On September 7, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, as part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), provides financial and technical assistance, transfer of defense matériel, training and services to allies, and promotes military-to-military contacts. DSCA leads the broader U.S. security cooperation enterprise in its efforts to train, educate, advise, and equip foreign partners) notified (announce) a possible Foreign Military Sales (Foreign Military Sales (FMS) is the U.S. Government’s program for transferring defense articles, services, and training to our international partners and international organizations. The FMS program is funded by administrative charges to foreign purchasers and is operated at no cost to taxpayers. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) administers the FMS program for the Department of Defense (DoD)) worth $450 million for engine, electronic warfare (Electronic Warfare (EW) represents the ability to use the electromagnetic spectrum - signals such as radio, infrared or radar - to sense, protect, and communicate. At the same time, it can be used to deny adversaries the ability to either disrupt or use these signals) and other hardware and software upgrades and spares for Pakistan’s F-16s. Though it said that the proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions (bullets, shells, missiles), the move clearly marks (indicate, denote, signify, represent) a thaw (an increase in friendliness) in the U.S.’s attitude towards Pakistan.

The External Affairs Ministry has chosen to maintain its silence on the issue, unlike its public expression of summoning (order, call, call for, ask for (someone to appear/be present before an authority)) the U.S. Ambassador (envoy, diplomat, consul, emissary) in 2016. The U.S. move strains (damage, impair, overburden) its relationship with India which has been making great strides, though it is not without obstacles. New Delhi and Washington have been skilfully managing their differences (disagreement, difference of opinion, disputation) over Afghanistan, the crisis in Ukraine, and the lingering (continuing, remaining, long-lasting, unabating, prolonged, persistent) threat of U.S. sanctions (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.) under its Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA is a specifically enacted legislation that aims to prevent revenue from flowing to Russia). Washington’s new warmth (friendliness, bonhomie, geniality/affability) with Islamabad also comes amid (in the middle of, surrounded by; during) a flurry (spate, series, succession) of India-U.S. diplomatic and military engagements (involvement, taking part, participation, association). India and the U.S. have committed to deepening (grow, increase, intensify) defence and security cooperation, but the indulgence (extravagance, luxury, comfort, non-essential (thing), extra (thing)) of Pakistan dampens (lessen, decrease, diminish, reduce, lower) that spirit (true meaning, intention, essence, substance). The Trump administration had tried to hold Pakistan accountable for duplicity (unfaithfulness, faithlessness, disloyalty, falseness, breach of trust, treachery, double-dealing, infidelity, deceit) in its approach towards terrorist groups operating from its territory, which amounts to running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. To stay in Afghanistan, the U.S. needed Pakistan; now to stay away from (avoid, evade, dodge, escape) Afghanistan it needs Pakistan even more. While the U.S. may have its reasons to keep Pakistan humoured (satisfy, pamper, soothe, gratify) and incentivised (encourage, motivate, galvanize), India’s concerns are immediate (actual) and real. Terrorism against India has been Pakistan’s state policy (a set of the basic principles, norms, and activities for the implementation of state/government power) for decades (a period of ten years). Far from (not, not at all; nowhere near, a long way from) seeking (ask for, request, demand) accountability (responsibility, liability, answerability), the U.S. is rewarding Pakistan, and more on the same lines (cause of action, procedure, programme, method) may in the offing (likely to happen, on the way, coming soon, coming up, close at hand, imminent, on the horizon, in the wings, just around the corner, upcoming, forthcoming). India and the U.S. need to work to ensure that the spectacular gains made in bilateral (involving two groups or countries) ties are preserved and nourished (nurture, foster, maintain, sustain).

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.tangle (noun)

Hindi Meaning - उलझन, गड़बड़, मिलावट
English Meaning - mess, mix-up, confusion, mishmash.

2.undermine (verb)

Hindi Meaning - कमजोर करना, तोड़ना, क्षति पहुँचाना
English Meaning - weaken, subvert, sabotage, damage.

3.ties (noun)

Hindi Meaning - संबंधों, बंधन, योजक रेखा
English Meaning - association, relationship, bond, connection.

4.fleet (noun)

Hindi Meaning - बेड़ा, नौसेना, जहाजों का बेड़ा
English Meaning - a number of vehicles/flights/ships working together (under a single ownership).

5.backbone (noun)

Hindi Meaning - रीड की हड्डी, आधारशिला, नींव
English Meaning - mainstay, cornerstone, foundation, chief support, buttress, pillar.

6.replenish (verb)

Hindi Meaning - भरपाई, पुनर्स्थापित करें, नवीनीकृत करें
English Meaning - restore, renew, fill up something (to its earlier level/condition).

7.periodically (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - समय-समय, कभी-कभी
English Meaning - occasionally, now and then.

8.interlocutor (noun)

Hindi Meaning - वार्ताकार, संभाषी
English Meaning - a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation; middleman, conciliator, mediator, moderator.

9.successive (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - लगातार, क्रमिक
English Meaning - consecutive.

10.administration (noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रशासन, शासन
English Meaning - government, regime.

11.maintain (verb)

Hindi Meaning - बनाए रखना, जारी रखना
English Meaning - continue, carry on, keep up, preserve.

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

Hindi Meaning - उत्तर अटलांटिक संधि संगठन
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.

13.ally (noun)

Hindi Meaning - मित्र, साथी
English Meaning - a country/state with an alliance with another one in which they promise to support each other militarily and to defend each other.

14.contest (verb)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतियोगिता, विरोध करना, चुनौती देना
English Meaning - oppose, challenge, object to, dispute, defy, resist.

15.move (noun)

Hindi Meaning - कदम, क्रिया
English Meaning - action, act, step, measure.

16.refit (verb)

English Meaning - refurbish, renovate, overhaul, revamp, restore, rebuild, improve, upgrade, re-equip.

17.F-16 fighter jet (or) F-16 Fighting Falcon (noun)

English Meaning - The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. One of the most versatile aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has been the mainstay of the Air Force aerial combat fleet.

18.on this account (phrase)

English Meaning - concerning/regarding a particular situation; as a result of, consequently.

19.component (noun)

English Meaning - element, constituent, unit.

20.Congress (noun)

English Meaning - legislative assembly, parliament; The United States Congress is the bicameral (two chambers) legislature of the federal government of the United States, and consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

21.stall (verb)

English Meaning - obstruct, impede, hinder, hamper, block, interrupt, stop.

22.apprehension (noun)

English Meaning - doubt, misgiving, disquiet, concern.

23.come true (phrase)

English Meaning - happen, occur, take place, become a reality.

24.air strike (noun)

English Meaning - attack, air attack, assault.

25.deploy (noun)

English Meaning - employ forces/troops into effective action.

26.base (noun)

English Meaning - camp, post, headquarters (of the armed forces).

27.Line of Control (LoC) (noun)

English Meaning - it is a 450 mile-long military control line lying between India and Pakistan’s controlled parts of the former (under the British) Jammu and Kashmir. This line is not actually a legally recognized international boundary but prevails as per de facto. After the Simla Agreement signed in July 1972, this line was officially renamed as “Line of Control” from “the Cease-fire Line”.

28.debris (noun)

English Meaning - broken pieces, rubble, wreckage.

29.missile (noun)

English Meaning - a self-propelled/rocket-propelled weapon designed to deliver a conventional/nuclear explosive warhead with great accuracy at high speed; projectile.

30.Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) (noun)

English Meaning - it is the world’s most sophisticated, combat-proven air dominance weapon. With more than 30 years of design, upgrades, testing and production, the AIM-120 missile continues to meet warfighter requirements in all weather and beyond visual range. The AMRAAM is being procured for the Air Force, U.S. Navy and America’s allies.

31.U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) (noun)

English Meaning - The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, as part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), provides financial and technical assistance, transfer of defense matériel, training and services to allies, and promotes military-to-military contacts. DSCA leads the broader U.S. security cooperation enterprise in its efforts to train, educate, advise, and equip foreign partners.

32.notify (verb)

English Meaning - announce.

33.Foreign Military Sales (FMS) (noun)

English Meaning - Foreign Military Sales (FMS) is the U.S. Government’s program for transferring defense articles, services, and training to our international partners and international organizations. The FMS program is funded by administrative charges to foreign purchasers and is operated at no cost to taxpayers. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) administers the FMS program for the Department of Defense (DoD).

34.electronic warfare (EW) (noun)

English Meaning - Electronic Warfare (EW) represents the ability to use the electromagnetic spectrum - signals such as radio, infrared or radar - to sense, protect, and communicate. At the same time, it can be used to deny adversaries the ability to either disrupt or use these signals.

35.munition (noun)

English Meaning - bullets, shells, missiles.

36.mark (verb)

English Meaning - indicate, denote, signify, represent.

37.thaw (noun)

English Meaning - an increase in friendliness.

38.summon (verb)

English Meaning - order, call, call for, ask for (someone to appear/be present before an authority).

39.ambassador (noun)

English Meaning - envoy, diplomat, consul, emissary.

40.strain (verb)

English Meaning - damage, impair, overburden.

41.make strides (phrase)

English Meaning - make progress, make headway, gain ground, progress, advance.

42.difference (noun)

English Meaning - disagreement, difference of opinion, disputation.

43.lingering (adjective)

English Meaning - continuing, remaining, long-lasting, unabating, prolonged, persistent.

44.sanctions (noun)

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.

45.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.

46.warmth (noun)

English Meaning - friendliness, bonhomie, geniality/affability

47.amid (preposition)

English Meaning - in the middle of, surrounded by; during.

48.flurry (noun)

English Meaning - spate, series, succession.

49.engagement (noun)

English Meaning - involvement, taking part, participation, association.

50.deepen (verb)

English Meaning - grow, increase, intensify.

51.indulgence (noun)

English Meaning - extravagance, luxury, comfort, non-essential (thing), extra (thing).

52.dampen (verb)

English Meaning - lessen, decrease, diminish, reduce, lower.

53.spirit (noun)

English Meaning - true meaning, intention, essence, substance.

54.hold accountable for (phrase)

English Meaning - to say that someone should accept the responsibility for something.

55.hold someone accountable for (phrase)

English Meaning - to consider someone responsible for something.

56.duplicity (noun)

English Meaning - unfaithfulness, faithlessness, disloyalty, falseness, breach of trust, treachery, double-dealing, infidelity, deceit.

57.amount to (verb)

English Meaning - be equal to, be equivalent to, be tantamount to, represent, denote, point to.

58.run with the hare and hunt with the hounds (phrase)

English Meaning - try to support both sides of an argument/conflict/dispute.

59.stay away from (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - avoid, evade, dodge, escape.

60.humour (verb)

English Meaning - satisfy, pamper, soothe, gratify.

61.incentivise (verb)

English Meaning - encourage, motivate, galvanize.

62.immediate (adjective)

English Meaning - actual.

63.state policy/government policy (noun)

English Meaning - a set of the basic principles, norms, and activities for the implementation of state/government power.

64.decade (noun)

English Meaning - a period of ten years.

65.far from (phrase)

English Meaning - not, not at all; nowhere near, a long way from.

66.seek (verb)

English Meaning - ask for, request, demand.

67.accountability (noun)

English Meaning - responsibility, liability, answerability.

68.line (noun)

English Meaning - cause of action, procedure, programme, method.

69.in the offing (phrase)

English Meaning - likely to happen, on the way, coming soon, coming up, close at hand, imminent, on the horizon, in the wings, just around the corner, upcoming, forthcoming.

70.bilateral (adjective)

English Meaning - involving two groups or countries.

71.nourish (verb)

English Meaning - nurture, foster, maintain, sustain.