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Now is not the time to fight over the composition of the delegations

The Narendra Modi government has announced seven delegations to canvas support for India in global capitals, in the aftermath of its recent conflict with Pakistan. The declared intent of these delegations — with representatives from political parties, diplomats and strategic experts — is to demonstrate before the world, the unity and the character of India in the face of sectarian terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. That the members are from several political, religious, caste and regional backgrounds, is in itself a panoramic show of the founding vision of India. The modern Republic of India adopted for itself the principle that all diversities can coexist and flourish together. This is in stark contrast with the idea of Pakistan, which was reiterated with chilling clarity by its Army chief Asim Munir weeks before the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025. The two-nation theory that led to the bloody division of the subcontinent and the creation of Pakistan holds that Hindus and Muslims cannot be a part of the same national community. The decline of Pakistan and the rise of India in all fields of human progress prove beyond any doubt the fallacy and the dangers of Pakistan’s vision and the promise of India. In a time of national challenge, a reiteration of that founding vision can be rejuvenating.

But there was inadequate appreciation of this fundamental distinction between India and Pakistan in many capitals in the aftermath of Pahalgam. There are many reasons and India has to win back world opinion in its favour through its actions and words, at home and abroad. Statements by several world leaders appeared to place India and Pakistan on the same footing. With decades of diplomatic efforts and its own performance as a pluralistic, secular democracy and a dynamic economy, India has built a healthy perception about itself in the eyes of the world. The capable and articulate delegates can be expected to restate that message of India effectively in world capitals. The Narendra Modi government showed statesmanship and wisdom in deciding to reiterate India’s unity and pluralism through these delegations. But the controversy around the selection of Congress representatives and continuing statements by BJP leaders that label political opponents as anti-nationals undermine the very attempt of unity. The government and the Congress, the principal Opposition party, should have communicated better with regard to the composition of these delegations. But now that the names have been decided, the Congress should not object to the nomination of its Lok Sabha MP, Shashi Tharoor, an international diplomat who has served as a Minister of State for External Affairs when it was in government. To politicise the nominations will serve no purpose and the Congress would only be seen doing what it accuses the BJP of: political mischief.

Tough timing

ISRO needs more resources to support India’s military needs

In contemporary spaceflight, cost, reliability and time form a tense triangle. Whether more money can ensure more reliability is tricky to answer, more so following the failure of ISRO’s PSLV-C61 mission to launch the EOS-09 earth-observation satellite into a sun-synchronous polar orbit. EOS-09 was designed to produce high-quality radar images for civilian applications such as land-use mapping and hydrology studies and for defence surveillance, even if inclement weather prevailed over the areas of interest thanks to a synthetic aperture radar and a C-band data-link. Against the backdrop of tensions with Pakistan, such all-weather data would also have informed tactical decisions. The Department of Space had also invited several Members of Parliament to the launch event, which would have been unusual for a strictly civilian earth-observation satellite. ISRO chairman V. Narayanan later said that his team noted a glitch in the vehicle’s third stage minutes after liftoff that prevented the satellite from reaching its intended altitude. While the cause is yet to be ascertained, the failure is a reminder that a “textbook” launch of a rocket even as well-understood as the PSLV is not a given.

India is just embarking on its ambitious Space-Based Surveillance-3 programme to launch 52 surveillance satellites; 31 are to be built in the private sector, which still needs ISRO’s guidance. Focus on the programme also comes against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, which revealed at least one gap in the country’s space-based military surveillance capabilities when it depended on a foreign commercial operator for more frequent data. Small margins of error in a rocket components’ operations separate success from failure, and thus cost from reliability. Time, however, is a separate matter: the pressing need for surveillance capabilities, if not improving the understanding of climate change and disaster risk over India, means that developers lack the luxury of time while also coming under greater pressure to deliver across both civilian and military domains. The PSLV-C61 failure follows the failure in January to place the NVS-02 navigation satellite into its designated orbit. Between an increasingly crowded launch manifest, research and development, data acquisition and processing pipelines, limited access to manufacturing capacity, and the human spaceflight programme, it will not be remiss to increase the resources available to ISRO if only to ensure its ability to meet India’s military needs while carrying on with other enterprises, all of which are becoming time-sensitive in a highly competitive global industry.

delegations
Type:Noun
Meaning:A group of people sent to represent others, especially in a formal context.
Tamil Meaning:பிரதிநிதிகள் குழு
Malayalam Meaning:പ്രതിനിധി സംഘം
Kannada Meaning:ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳ ತಂಡ
Synonyms:representatives, envoys, mission
Antonyms:individuals, lone representatives
Example Sentence:The Indian government sent delegations to global capitals to garner support after the conflict with Pakistan.

conflict
Type:Noun
Meaning:A serious disagreement or struggle, often prolonged.
Tamil Meaning:மோதல்
Malayalam Meaning:സംഘട്ടനം
Kannada Meaning:ಸಂಘರ್ಷ
Synonyms:clash, strife, battle
Antonyms:peace, harmony, agreement
Example Sentence:The recent conflict between India and Pakistan has drawn international attention.

demonstrate
Type:Verb
Meaning:To show or prove something clearly.
Tamil Meaning:நிரூபி
Malayalam Meaning:പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കുക
Kannada Meaning:ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸು
Synonyms:exhibit, display, prove
Antonyms:conceal, hide, disprove
Example Sentence:The delegations aim to demonstrate India's unity and pluralism to the world.

flourish
Type:Verb
Meaning:To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.
Tamil Meaning:வளர்
Malayalam Meaning:വളരുക
Kannada Meaning:ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಹೊಂದು
Synonyms:thrive, prosper, bloom
Antonyms:wither, decline, fail
Example Sentence:India's diverse cultures continue to flourish under its democratic system.

reiterated
Type:Verb
Meaning:To say something again or repeatedly.
Tamil Meaning:மீண்டும் கூறு
Malayalam Meaning:ആവർത്തിക്കുക
Kannada Meaning:ಪುನರಾವರ್ತಿಸು
Synonyms:repeat, restate, emphasize
Antonyms:retract, revoke
Example Sentence:The Army chief reiterated Pakistan's two-nation theory before the terrorist attack.

decline
Type:Noun
Meaning:A gradual and continuous loss of strength or quality.
Tamil Meaning:சரிவு
Malayalam Meaning:അധോഗതി
Kannada Meaning:ಇಳಿಮುಖ
Synonyms:deterioration, downfall, decay
Antonyms:improvement, growth, rise
Example Sentence:The decline of Pakistan contrasts sharply with India's progress.

fallacy
Type:Noun
Meaning:A mistaken belief or flawed logic.
Tamil Meaning:தவறான கருத்து
Malayalam Meaning:ഭ്രമം
Kannada Meaning:ತಪ್ಪು ನಂಬಿಕೆ
Synonyms:misconception, myth, error
Antonyms:truth, fact, reality
Example Sentence:The two-nation theory is a fallacy that has caused immense suffering.

rejuvenating
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Making someone or something feel or look young or lively again.
Tamil Meaning:புத்துணர்ச்சி அளிக்கும்
Malayalam Meaning:പുതുക്കുന്ന
Kannada Meaning:ಪುನರುಜ್ಜೀವನಗೊಳಿಸುವ
Synonyms:revitalizing, refreshing, renewing
Antonyms:exhausting, draining
Example Sentence:Reiterating India's founding vision can be a rejuvenating experience for the nation.

inadequate
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Lacking the quality or quantity required; insufficient.
Tamil Meaning:போதாத
Malayalam Meaning:അപര്യാപ്തമായ
Kannada Meaning:ಸಾಕಷ್ಟಿಲ್ಲದ
Synonyms:insufficient, deficient, lacking
Antonyms:adequate, sufficient, ample
Example Sentence:There was inadequate appreciation of India's pluralistic values abroad.

aftermath
Type:Noun
Meaning:The consequences or effects of a significant event.
Tamil Meaning:பின்விளைவு
Malayalam Meaning:അനന്തരഫലം
Kannada Meaning:ಪರಿಣಾಮ
Synonyms:repercussions, fallout, outcome
Antonyms:cause, origin
Example Sentence:In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, India sought global support.

perception
Type:Noun
Meaning:The way something is regarded or interpreted.
Tamil Meaning:உணர்தல்
Malayalam Meaning:അവബോധം
Kannada Meaning:ಗ್ರಹಿಕೆ
Synonyms:impression, view, understanding
Antonyms:misconception, ignorance
Example Sentence:India has built a positive perception globally as a pluralistic democracy.

accuses
Type:Verb
Meaning:To charge someone with wrongdoing.
Tamil Meaning:குற்றம் சாட்டு
Malayalam Meaning:കുറ്റപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു
Kannada Meaning:ಆರೋಪಿಸುತ್ತದೆ
Synonyms:blame, charge, indict
Antonyms:defend, exonerate
Example Sentence:The Congress accuses the BJP of political mischief.

mischief
Type:Noun
Meaning:Playful misbehavior or troublemaking.
Tamil Meaning:குறும்பு
Malayalam Meaning:കള്ളത്തരം
Kannada Meaning:ಕೇಡು
Synonyms:troublemaking, prank, naughtiness
Antonyms:goodness, benevolence
Example Sentence:Politicizing the delegations would be seen as political mischief.

contemporary
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Belonging to or occurring in the present.
Tamil Meaning:சமகால
Malayalam Meaning:സമകാലിക
Kannada Meaning:ಸಮಕಾಲೀನ
Synonyms:modern, current, present-day
Antonyms:outdated, archaic
Example Sentence:Contemporary spaceflight demands reliability and cost-efficiency.

synchronous
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Occurring at the same time or rate.
Tamil Meaning:ஒத்திசைவான
Malayalam Meaning:സമകാലികമായ
Kannada Meaning:ಸಮಕಾಲೀನ
Synonyms:simultaneous, coordinated, concurrent
Antonyms:asynchronous, unsynchronized
Example Sentence:The satellite was meant to orbit in a sun-synchronous polar orbit.

surveillance
Type:Noun
Meaning:Close observation, especially of a suspected person or area.
Tamil Meaning:கண்காணிப்பு
Malayalam Meaning:നിരീക്ഷണം
Kannada Meaning:ನಿಗಾ
Synonyms:monitoring, observation, scrutiny
Antonyms:neglect, disregard
Example Sentence:The EOS-09 satellite was designed for defence surveillance.

inclement
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Unpleasantly cold or wet (weather).
Tamil Meaning:கடுமையான
Malayalam Meaning:കഠിനമായ
Kannada Meaning:ಕಠಿಣ
Synonyms:harsh, severe, stormy
Antonyms:mild, pleasant
Example Sentence:The satellite could operate even in inclement weather conditions.

prevailed
Type:Verb
Meaning:To prove more powerful or superior.
Tamil Meaning:மேலோங்கியது
Malayalam Meaning:പ്രബലമായ
Kannada Meaning:ಪ್ರಬಲವಾಗಿತ್ತು
Synonyms:dominate, triumph, overcome
Antonyms:lose, surrender
Example Sentence:Despite challenges, India's democratic values have prevailed.

tactical
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Relating to actions carefully planned to gain a specific end.
Tamil Meaning:தந்திரோபாய
Malayalam Meaning:തന്ത്രപരമായ
Kannada Meaning:ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣಾ
Synonyms:strategic, calculated, planned
Antonyms:haphazard, unplanned
Example Sentence:The satellite data would have aided tactical military decisions.

glitch
Type:Noun
Meaning:A sudden malfunction or minor problem.
Tamil Meaning:கோளாறு
Malayalam Meaning:തകരാറ്
Kannada Meaning:ತೊಂದರೆ
Synonyms:snag, hitch, bug
Antonyms:smoothness, perfection
Example Sentence:A glitch in the rocket's third stage caused the mission to fail.

liftoff
Type:Noun
Meaning:The vertical takeoff of a spacecraft or rocket.
Tamil Meaning:ஏவுதல்
Malayalam Meaning:ലിഫ്റ്റോഫ്
Kannada Meaning:ಏರಿಕೆ
Synonyms:launch, takeoff, blast-off
Antonyms:landing, touchdown
Example Sentence:The PSLV-C61 mission faced issues minutes after liftoff.

prevented
Type:Verb
Meaning:To stop something from happening.
Tamil Meaning:தடுத்தது
Malayalam Meaning:തടയുക
Kannada Meaning:ತಡೆದುಹಾಕಲಾಗಿದೆ
Synonyms:hinder, obstruct, block
Antonyms:allow, permit
Example Sentence:The glitch prevented the satellite from reaching its intended orbit.

intended
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Planned or meant to do something.
Tamil Meaning:நோக்கம்
Malayalam Meaning:ഉദ്ദേശിച്ച
Kannada Meaning:ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ
Synonyms:planned, deliberate, purposeful
Antonyms:unintended, accidental
Example Sentence:The satellite failed to achieve its intended altitude.

ascertained
Type:Verb
Meaning:To find out or learn with certainty.
Tamil Meaning:உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டது
Malayalam Meaning:ഉറപ്പാക്കി
Kannada Meaning:ಖಚಿತಪಡಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ
Synonyms:determine, verify, confirm
Antonyms:guess, assume
Example Sentence:The cause of the rocket's failure is yet to be ascertained.

embarking
Type:Verb
Meaning:To begin a course of action.
Tamil Meaning:தொடங்கியது
Malayalam Meaning:ആരംഭിക്കുന്നു
Kannada Meaning:ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ
Synonyms:commence, start, initiate
Antonyms:conclude, finish
Example Sentence:India is embarking on an ambitious space surveillance programme.

revealed
Type:Verb
Meaning:To make known something previously hidden.
Tamil Meaning:வெளிப்படுத்தியது
Malayalam Meaning:വെളിപ്പെടുത്തി
Kannada Meaning:ಬಹಿರಂಗಪಡಿಸಿದೆ
Synonyms:disclose, uncover, expose
Antonyms:conceal, hide
Example Sentence:Operation Sindoor revealed gaps in India's surveillance capabilities.

manifest
Type:Noun
Meaning:A document listing cargo or passengers on a vehicle.
Tamil Meaning:பட்டியல்
Malayalam Meaning:മാനിഫെസ്റ്റ്
Kannada Meaning:ಪಟ್ಟಿ
Synonyms:inventory, list, record
Antonyms:concealment
Example Sentence:The crowded launch manifest reflects ISRO's busy schedule.

acquisition
Type:Noun
Meaning:The act of gaining possession or control.
Tamil Meaning:கையகப்படுத்தல்
Malayalam Meaning:സ്വായത്തമാക്കൽ
Kannada Meaning:ಸ್ವಾಧೀನ
Synonyms:procurement, obtaining, attainment
Antonyms:loss, surrender
Example Sentence:Data acquisition is critical for both civilian and military purposes.

remiss
Type:Adjective
Meaning:Lacking care or attention to duty.
Tamil Meaning:கவனக்குறைவான
Malayalam Meaning:ഉദാസീനമായ
Kannada Meaning:ಅಜಾಗರೂಕ
Synonyms:negligent, careless, lax
Antonyms:diligent, careful
Example Sentence:It would not be remiss to increase ISRO's budget to meet national needs.

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