The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– Aug 11, 2021; Day 117

We hope that these editorial articles are helping you in your exam preparation. This series of  Editorials’ Difficult Words will help you to understand the editorials of The Hindu in a better way. Today we have come up with the explanation of difficult words/phrases of the below editorial. Have a look and update your word power & general awareness by going through this editorial.

Difficult Word/ Phrase	Contextual Sense
Choppy waters	used to refer to troublesome, difficult or uncertain times ahead
Ratification	the action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid
Veer	change direction suddenly
Barb	an intelligent but critical remark that is intended to hurt
Dissonance	lack of agreement or harmony between people or things
Strident	loud and harsh
Illicit	forbidden by law, rules, or custom
Helm	in charge of a company or organization
Decry	publicly denounce
Adroit	clever or skillful in using the hands or mind

Choppy waters (used to refer to troublesome, difficult or uncertain times ahead): On global maritime security

India must push for ratification (the action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid) of UNCLOS by all major maritime powers, including the U.S.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the stage to address the UNSC on a debate on maritime security — the first Indian premier to do so — he might have hoped to keep the focus of the discussion on building maritime ties and developing maritime infrastructure through regional cooperation initiatives. Yet, once more the discussion veered (change direction suddenly) toward major nations trading barbs (an intelligent but critical remark that is intended to hurt) on continuing strategic dissonance (lack of agreement or harmony between people or things) in this sphere. At the heart of the strident (loud and harsh) claims and counterclaims regarding allegations of abuse of maritime resources and disrespect of territorial sovereignty rights of nations were the U.S., on the one hand, and China and Russia on the other. Mr. Modi deserves credit for bringing to the table a five-prong plan to enhance maritime security worldwide through cooperation, including removing barriers to legitimate maritime trade, settling maritime disputes peacefully and based on international law, jointly facing natural disasters and maritime threats created by non-state actors, preserving maritime environment and resources, and encouraging responsible maritime connectivity. Indeed, the acceptance at the UNSC of the legislative framework for UNCLOS, the “legal framework applicable to activities in the oceans, including countering illicit (forbidden by law, rules, or custom) activities at sea”, is seen as an important achievement during India’s month at the helm (in charge of a company or organization) of the Council. The sustained interest of India in promoting maritime security also draws from Mr. Modi’s SAGAR vision plan aimed at strengthening economic and security connections with regional maritime nations.

If there are strategic barriers to creating momentum in achieving these goals, they are associated with specific regions of maritime tension including the South China Sea and the Black Sea. Regarding the former, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken decried (publicly denounce) the “dangerous encounters between vessels at sea and provocative actions to advance unlawful maritime claims”, rejecting “actions that intimidate and bully other states from lawfully accessing their maritime resources”. Similarly, regarding the Black Sea, the Kerch Strait, the Sea of Azov, Mr. Blinken at the UNSC debate hit out at what Washington considered “continued aggressive actions against Ukraine… which are disrupting commerce and energy access”. Although India’s presidency of the Council is brief, its sustained commitment to promoting maritime security and boosting trade through sea routes will require it to be adroit (clever or skillful in using the hands or mind) in negotiating with these squabbling powers and creative in seeking resolution of the very real conflicts at the heart of their disputes. While some may deride UNCLOS as lacking teeth for enforcement, ultimately it is the only comprehensive framework of laws available to maritime powers to assert their rights consistent with the rules-based international order. Through its UNSC presidency and beyond, New Delhi must faithfully advocate for ratification of UNCLOS by all major maritime powers, including the U.S.

Hope you got to know some new words/phrases which will definitely be useful in the English section of upcoming competitive exams. Wishing you all the best for your preparation!

Want to improve your vocabulary further? Download the Lists of Word-Meanings of Previous Months here.