The Daily Editorial Analysis – 28 June 2025

Learn English Vocabulary – The Daily EDITORIAL – 28 June 2025

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Missed opportunity

India should convince Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to take a strong stance against terrorism

The Qingdao meeting of Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), that ended without a joint communiqué, indicates trouble within the 10-nation grouping. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was forced to withdraw from the joint declaration as it contained no reference to terrorism at the behest of “one nation” — a reference to Pakistan. This is understandable, given that the meeting comes just weeks after the Pahalgam attack, and Operation Sindoor, after which India’s resolve to fight terrorism has redoubled. What sounds more surprising is that not only did the draft resolution fail to mention terrorism but member-states including host China and Russia had even reportedly considered referring to “disturbances in Balochistan”, at the instance of Pakistan, while leaving out mentions of the Pahalgam attack and cross-border terrorism, that India asked for. This is stark given that the SCO’s founding Charter in 2002 focused on the need to build “mutual intraregional efforts to curb terrorism, separatism and extremism”, and the Director of SCO’s signature Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure was present. Statements by the SCO Secretariat and the Chinese Foreign Ministry stuck to anodyne statements such as “...cooperation ...on modern security challenges and threats”. All eyes will now be on the SCO Foreign Ministers’ July meet and the SCO Summit in August-September to see if India’s concerns are more appropriately addressed. New Delhi must study whether there are shortcomings in delivering its message on the three-pronged “new normal” Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced after Operation Sindoor. In particular, China’s unhelpful role as Chair on the issue is disquieting, given its recent with India. Unlike the SAARC grouping, where India held sway, the SCO is more focused on the original founders China, Russia and Central Asian States. Mr. Singh’s participation followed closely on the heels of India disassociating itself from a statement on Israel’s June 13 attack on SCO member Iran as it was critical of Israel. Post-Operation Sindoor, the government sent parliamentary delegations to 32 countries, but not to any SCO member-country. It is possible that the government lost a chance to give the grouping any prominence by doing so, although External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar chaired a meeting of the India-Central Asia forum in June. India’s decision to skip hosting an in-person Summit of the SCO during its turn in 2023 could also still rankle. Breaking with the grouping, which is an important regional forum, will simply leave an open platform for Pakistan. Instead of crying foul, the government must convince members that their interests lie in strengthening cross-regional support against terrorism.

No time to rest

India did well in climbing up SDG rankings, but falls short in governance

India has been ranked among the top 100 countries in the Sustainable Development Report for the first time since this data began to be published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) since 2016. The SDSN is an independent body under the aegis of the UN, whose publications are tracked by policymakers and governments. In 2016, India was ranked 110th out of 157 countries, making steady progress to reach 99 this year out of an expanded basket of 167 nations with better metrics and more granular comparisons. But it is no time to rest on this laurel. India must look at why this incline, by 11 points, was not achieved any sooner and the gaps to focus on. From a developmental perspective, the SDSN ranks India as having fared better in poverty reduction (SDG 1) even as India’s poverty estimation continues to be mired in controversy due to a lack of publicly available consumption expenditure data since 2018 and the poverty line (Rangarajan line ~₹33/day rural, ₹47/day urban) not having been updated. Proxy data suggest a considerable poverty reduction, almost halving between 2012 (22% based on NSSO data) and 2023 (World Bank – 12%). But SDG 2 (zero hunger) has remained a cause for concern. It also reveals the wide disparity between income groups and rural and urban areas on access to a nutritious diet. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) estimates that over a third of Indians (35.5%) were stunted (NFHS-5, 2019-21), only marginally better than 38.4% (NFHS-4, 2015-16). Similarly, wasting, which is low weight for height, reduced from 21.0% to 19.3%. Obesity in the working age population (15-49 years) has almost doubled between 2006 and 2021, and concentrated in wealthier urban areas. Electricity access (SDG 7) is another indicator where India has done well. While the country has achieved near universal household electrification in the past two decades, the quality of power and duration vary vastly based on regions and urban/rural fault lines. It is, however, laudable that India today ranks as the fourth largest renewables capacity deployer, mainly solar and wind. And while India has bettered its score in infrastructure provision (SDG 9), noteworthy additions being rapid mobile penetration and financial inclusion through UPI-linked digital payments gateways, COVID-19 revealed the stark difference between rural and urban Internet penetration, which must be addressed to achieve even higher educational outcomes (SDG 4). It is telling, however, that throughout the Modi years, India’s performance in governance, the rule of law, press freedom and strong and independent institutions (SDG 16) has been lagging.

Editorial Vocabulary

1. Communiqué

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: An official announcement or statement, especially one made to the media or public
Tamil Meaning: அதிகாரபூர்வ அறிவிப்பு
Malayalam Meaning: ഔദ്യോഗിക പ്രസ്താവന
Kannada Meaning: ಅಧಿಕೃತ ಪ್ರಕಟಣೆ
Synonyms: Statement, announcement, bulletin, declaration, press release
Antonyms: Silence, secrecy, confidentiality
Example Sentence: The defense ministers failed to issue a joint communiqué due to disagreements over terrorism references.

2. Behest

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: A person's orders or command; urgent request
Tamil Meaning: கட்டளை, வேண்டுகோள்
Malayalam Meaning: ആജ്ഞ, അഭ്യർത്ഥന
Kannada Meaning: ಆದೇಶ, ವಿನಂತಿ
Synonyms: Command, order, request, instruction, bidding
Antonyms: Refusal, denial, rejection
Example Sentence: The reference to terrorism was removed at the behest of our neighbouring country.

3. Resolve

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: Firm determination to do something; unwavering decision
Tamil Meaning: உறுதி, தீர்மானம்
Malayalam Meaning: ദൃഢനിശ്ചയം
Kannada Meaning: ನಿರ್ಧಾರ, ದೃಢತೆ
Synonyms: Determination, decision, commitment, resolution, steadfastness
Antonyms: Indecision, hesitation, uncertainty, wavering
Example Sentence: Our country’s resolve to fight terrorism has strengthened after recent attacks.

4. Redoubled

Part of speech: Verb (past participle)
Meaning: Made much greater, more intense or more determined
Tamil Meaning: இரட்டிப்பாக்கப்பட்ட, தீவிரப்படுத்தப்பட்ட
Malayalam Meaning: ഇരട്ടിയാക്കിയ, തീവ്രമാക്കിയ
Kannada Meaning: ದ್ವಿಗುಣಗೊಳಿಸಲಾದ, ತೀವ್ರಗೊಳಿಸಲಾದ
Synonyms: Intensified, strengthened, reinforced, amplified, heightened
Antonyms: Weakened, reduced, diminished, lessened
Example Sentence: Our government has redoubled its efforts to combat cross-border terrorism.

5. Cross-border

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Occurring or existing across a national boundary
Tamil Meaning: எல்லை கடந்த
Malayalam Meaning: അതിർത്തി കടന്നുള്ള
Kannada Meaning: ಗಡಿಯಾಚೆಗಿನ
Synonyms: Transnational, international, boundary-crossing, frontier-spanning
Antonyms: Domestic, internal, within-border, national
Example Sentence: Cross-border terrorism remains a major security concern for our country.

6. Stark

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Severe or bare in appearance; unpleasantly clear and obvious
Tamil Meaning: தெளிவான, கடுமையான
Malayalam Meaning: വ്യക്തമായ, കഠിനമായ
Kannada Meaning: ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾದ, ಕಠಿಣವಾದ
Synonyms: Clear, obvious, evident, harsh, severe, glaring
Antonyms: Subtle, hidden, obscure, mild, gentle
Example Sentence: The omission of terrorism from the draft was stark given the organisation’s founding principles.

7. Intraregional

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Within or among regions of the same area or territory
Tamil Meaning: பிராந்தியத்திற்குள்
Malayalam Meaning: പ്രദേശത്തിനകത്തുള്ള
Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಾದೇಶಿಕ ಒಳಗಿನ
Synonyms: Regional, within-region, local-area, domestic-regional
Antonyms: Interregional, international, global, external
Example Sentence: The organisation emphasises intraregional cooperation to address security challenges.

8. Curb

Part of speech: Verb
Meaning: Restrain or keep in check; control or limit
Tamil Meaning: கட்டுப்படுத்து, தடுக்க
Malayalam Meaning: നിയന്ത്രിക്കുക, തടയുക
Kannada Meaning: ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸು, ತಡೆಯು
Synonyms: Control, restrain, limit, check, suppress, restrict
Antonyms: Encourage, promote, increase, amplify, unleash
Example Sentence: The organisation aims to curb terrorism and extremism in the region.

9. Separatism

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: The advocacy or practice of separation from a larger political unit
Tamil Meaning: பிரிவினைவாதம்
Malayalam Meaning: വിഘടനവാദം
Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕತಾವಾದ
Synonyms: Secessionism, breakaway tendency
Antonyms: Unity, integration, unification, cohesion
Example Sentence: The charter specifically mentions combating terrorism, separatism and extremism.

10. Extremism

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: The holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism
Tamil Meaning: தீவிரவாதம்
Malayalam Meaning: തീവ്രവാദം
Kannada Meaning: ಉಗ್ರವಾದ
Synonyms: Radicalism, fanaticism, fundamentalism, militancy
Antonyms: Moderation, tolerance, centrism, pragmatism
Example Sentence: Regional cooperation is essential to combat extremism effectively.

11. Anodyne

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, bland
Tamil Meaning: தீங்கற்ற, நடுநிலையான
Malayalam Meaning: ദോഷരഹിതമായ, നിഷ്പക്ഷമായ
Kannada Meaning: ನಿರುಪದ್ರವಕಾರಿ, ತಟಸ್ಥ
Synonyms: Bland, inoffensive, neutral, mild, innocuous
Antonyms: Provocative, controversial, offensive, inflammatory
Example Sentence: The official statements were anodyne and avoided addressing concerns.

12. Shortcomings

Part of speech: Noun (plural)
Meaning: Faults or failures to meet certain standards; deficiencies
Tamil Meaning: குறைபாடுகள், பலவீனங்கள்
Malayalam Meaning: പോരായ്മകൾ, കുറവുകൾ
Kannada Meaning: ಕೊರತೆಗಳು, ದೌರ್ಬಲ್ಯಗಳು
Synonyms: Deficiencies, weaknesses, flaws, inadequacies, failings
Antonyms: Strengths, advantages, merits, assets, benefits
Example Sentence: Countries must examine the shortcomings in their diplomatic messaging strategy.

13. Three-pronged

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Having three parts or aspects; threefold approach
Tamil Meaning: மூன்று கூறுகளைக் கொண்ட
Malayalam Meaning: മൂന്ന് ഭാഗങ്ങളുള്ള
Kannada Meaning: ಮೂರು ಭಾಗಗಳುಳ್ಳ
Synonyms: Threefold, triple, tripartite, three-part
Antonyms: Single, unified, one-dimensional, simple
Example Sentence: The Prime Minister announced a three-pronged strategy to address security challenges.

14. Disquieting

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Inducing feelings of anxiety or worry; disturbing
Tamil Meaning: கவலையூட்டும், அமைதியின்மை தரும்
Malayalam Meaning: ആശങ്കാജനകമായ, അസ്വസ്ഥതയുണ്ടാക്കുന്ന
Kannada Meaning: ಆತಂಕಕಾರಿ, ಕಳವಳಕಾರಿ
Synonyms: Disturbing, worrying, troubling, unsettling, alarming
Antonyms: Reassuring, comforting, calming, soothing, peaceful
Example Sentence: The country’s unhelpful role as chair is disquieting for regional stability.

15. Sway

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: Rule; control or influence over others
Tamil Meaning: ஆதிக்கம், செல்வாக்கு
Malayalam Meaning: ആധിപത്യം, സ്വാധീനം
Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಭಾವ, ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ
Synonyms: Influence, control, dominance, authority, power
Antonyms: Powerlessness, weakness, submission, subordination
Example Sentence: Unlike the SAARC, our country doesn't hold similar sway in the SCO grouping.

16. Disassociating

Part of speech: Verb (present participle)
Meaning: Disconnecting or separating oneself from something
Tamil Meaning: விலகுதல், பிரிந்து கொள்ளுதல்
Malayalam Meaning: വേർപെടുത്തുക, വിട്ടുനിൽക്കുക
Kannada Meaning: ಬೇರ್ಪಡಿಸುವುದು, ದೂರವಾಗುವುದು
Synonyms: Separating, disconnecting, withdrawing, distancing
Antonyms: Associating, connecting, joining, linking, affiliating
Example Sentence: Our country is disassociating itself from statements that don't align with its interests.

17. Delegations

Part of speech: Noun (plural)
Meaning: Groups of delegates or representatives sent on a mission
Tamil Meaning: பிரதிநிதிகள் குழு
Malayalam Meaning: പ്രതിനിധി സംഘങ്ങൾ
Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿ ಸಂಘಗಳು
Synonyms: Representatives, envoys, diplomatic missions, deputations
Antonyms: Individual representatives, solo missions
Example Sentence: Parliamentary delegations were sent to more than 30+ countries after the operation.

18. Prominence

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: The state of being important or famous; conspicuousness
Tamil Meaning: முக்கியத்துவம், புகழ்
Malayalam Meaning: പ്രാധാന്യം, പ്രസിദ്ധി
Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರಾಮುಖ್ಯತೆ, ಖ್ಯಾತಿ
Synonyms: Importance, significance, distinction, fame, notability
Antonyms: Obscurity, insignificance, anonymity, unimportance
Example Sentence: The government may have lost a chance to give the regional grouping prominence in its diplomatic outreach.

19. Rankle

Part of speech: Verb
Meaning: To continue to cause anger, irritation or resentment
Tamil Meaning: எரிச்சலூட்டு, கோபமூட்டு
Malayalam Meaning: പ്രകോപിപ്പിക്കുക, അലോസരപ്പെടുത്തുക
Kannada Meaning: ಕೋಪಗೊಳಿಸು, ಕಿರಿಕಿರಿಗೊಳಿಸು
Synonyms: Irritate, annoy, anger, provoke, gall, vex
Antonyms: Soothe, calm, please, comfort, appease
Example Sentence: Our country’s decision to skip hosting the summit may still rankle other member nations.

20. Aegis

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: The protection, sponsorship or support of a particular person or organisation
Tamil Meaning: பாதுகாப்பு, ஆதரவு
Malayalam Meaning: സംരക്ഷണം, സഹായം
Kannada Meaning: ರಕ್ಷಣೆ, ಆಶ್ರಯ
Synonyms: Protection, sponsorship, support, patronage, backing
Antonyms: Opposition, hindrance, abandonment, neglect
Example Sentence: The SDSN operates under the aegis of the United Nations.

21. Policymakers

Part of speech: Noun (plural)
Meaning: People responsible for or involved in formulating policies
Tamil Meaning: கொள்கை வகுப்பாளர்கள்
Malayalam Meaning: നയനിർമ്മാതാക്കൾ
Kannada Meaning: ನೀತಿ ನಿರ್ಮಾಪಕರು
Synonyms: Decision-makers, policy formulators, legislators, planners
Antonyms: Policy implementers, followers, subordinates
Example Sentence: The publications are closely tracked by policymakers worldwide.

22. Granular

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Characterided by a high level of detail; fine-grained
Tamil Meaning: விரிவான, நுணுக்கமான
Malayalam Meaning: വിശദമായ, സൂക്ഷ്മമായ
Kannada Meaning: ವಿವರವಾದ, ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮವಾದ
Synonyms: Detailed, fine-grained, specific, precise, microscopic
Antonyms: General, broad, superficial, coarse, macro-level
Example Sentence: The report provides more granular comparisons between countries this year.

23. Laurel

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: Honor or acclaim (usually in phrase "rest on one's laurels")
Tamil Meaning: பாராட்டு, கௌரவம்
Malayalam Meaning: ബഹുമതി, പ്രശംസ
Kannada Meaning: ಗೌರವ, ಪ್ರಶಂಸೆ
Synonyms: Honor, acclaim, recognition, praise, glory
Antonyms: Disgrace, shame, dishonor, criticism
Example Sentence: Our country should not rest on this laurel but continue improving its performance.

24. Incline

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: An upward slope or rise; improvement or increase
Tamil Meaning: ஏற்றம், முன்னேற்றம்
Malayalam Meaning: കയറ്റം, പുരോഗതി
Kannada Meaning: ಏರಿಕೆ, ಪ್ರಗತಿ
Synonyms: Rise, improvement, ascent, upgrade, advancement
Antonyms: Decline, decrease, descent, deterioration
Example Sentence: The 11-point incline in rankings shows our country’s developmental progress.

25. Perspective

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; point of view
Tamil Meaning: பார்வை, கண்ணோட்டம்
Malayalam Meaning: കാഴ്ചപ്പാട്, വീക്ഷണം
Kannada Meaning: ದೃಷ್ಟಿಕೋನ, ನೋಟ
Synonyms: Viewpoint, outlook, angle, standpoint, position
Antonyms: Narrow-mindedness, bias, prejudice
Example Sentence: From a developmental perspective, our country has made significant strides in poverty reduction.

26. Mired

Part of speech: Verb (past participle)
Meaning: Stuck or entangled in a difficult situation
Tamil Meaning: சிக்கிக்கொண்ட, மாட்டிக்கொண்ட
Malayalam Meaning: കുടുങ്ങിയ, കുഴങ്ങിയ
Kannada Meaning: ಸಿಲುಕಿದ, ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದ
Synonyms: Stuck, entangled, bogged down, trapped, embroiled
Antonyms: Free, liberated, clear, unencumbered
Example Sentence: Our country’s poverty estimation continues to be mired in controversy.

27. Proxy

Part of speech: Noun/Adjective
Meaning: A figure that can be used to represent the value of something
Tamil Meaning: மாற்று
Malayalam Meaning: പകരം, പ്രതിനിധി
Kannada Meaning: ಬದಲಿ, ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿ
Synonyms: Substitute, representative, alternative, surrogate
Antonyms: Direct, actual, primary, original
Example Sentence: Proxy data suggest considerable poverty reduction in recent years.

28. Disparity

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: A great difference or inequality
Tamil Meaning: வேறுபாடு, சமத்துவமின்மை
Malayalam Meaning: അസമത്വം, വ്യത്യാസം
Kannada Meaning: ಅಸಮಾನತೆ, ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸ
Synonyms: Inequality, difference, gap, imbalance, variance
Antonyms: Equality, similarity, balance, uniformity
Example Sentence: The report reveals wide disparity between income groups in nutrition access.

29. Stunted

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Having been prevented from growing or developing properly
Tamil Meaning: வளர்ச்சி குன்றிய
Malayalam Meaning: വളർച്ച മുരടിച്ച
Kannada Meaning: ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ ಕುಂಠಿತವಾದ
Synonyms: Underdeveloped, impaired, hindered, restricted
Antonyms: Well-developed, healthy, thriving, robust
Example Sentence: Over a third of our citizens remain stunted due to malnutrition.

30. Laudable

Part of speech: Adjective
Meaning: Deserving praise and commendation
Tamil Meaning: பாராட்டத்தக்க, பாராட்டுதலுக்குரிய
Malayalam Meaning: പ്രശംസനീയമായ
Kannada Meaning: ಶ್ಲಾಘನೀಯ, ಶಂಸನೀಯ
Synonyms: Praiseworthy, commendable, admirable, excellent
Antonyms: Blameworthy, reprehensible, deplorable, shameful
Example Sentence: It is laudable that our country ranks as the fourth largest renewables capacity deployer.

31. Penetration

Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: The extent to which a product or service is used or available
Tamil Meaning: ஊடுருவல், பரவல்
Malayalam Meaning: വ്യാപനം, കടന്നുകയറ്റം
Kannada Meaning: ಪ್ರವೇಶ, ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿ
Synonyms: Infiltration, permeation, spread, reach, coverage
Antonyms: Exclusion, withdrawal, retreat, limitation
Example Sentence: Rapid mobile penetration has improved our country’s digital infrastructure significantly.

32. Lagging

Part of speech: Verb (present participle)
Meaning: Falling behind in movement, progress or development
Tamil Meaning: பின்தங்கிய, தாமதமான
Malayalam Meaning: പിന്നിലായ, കാലതാമസമുള്ള
Kannada Meaning: ಹಿಂದುಳಿದ, ನಿಧಾನವಾದ
Synonyms: Falling behind, delayed, slow, trailing, tardy
Antonyms: Leading, advancing, progressing, ahead, prompt
Example Sentence: Our country’s performance in governance and press freedom has been lagging during recent years.

Idiom of the Day: 28 June 2025

Rest/Sit on one’s laurels

Informal

Meaning: To stop putting in effort because of past achievements

Explanation:

If you rest or sit on your laurels, you become complacent after achieving success. Instead of working hard to maintain or improve your performance, you rely on your previous accomplishments.

This idiom is often used to suggest that continued effort is necessary for sustained success.

Example Sentences:

After winning the national award, she didn’t rest on her laurels but kept improving her craft.

Companies that rest on their laurels often lose out to more innovative competitors.

Just because you scored well last semester doesn’t mean you can sit on your laurels now.