The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025 Vocabulary, Summary, Tone, Descriptive

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The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025

Mending ties: On state visit of Philippines President to India

India and the Philippines are showing intent in improving relations

The state visit of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India that ends on Friday (August 8, 2025), and his meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided a hard power edge to the two countries, with historical-cultural ties between them, by signing a Strategic Partnership Agreement. On his first visit to India since taking office in 2022, Mr. Marcos has taken a strong position against Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea, and has been keen to engage India more closely. Coinciding with his visit, the Indian Navy held its first joint maritime exercises with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea area. The drills were criticised by China. India has consistently supported the 2016 UNCLOS tribunal arbitration award in favour of the Philippines, calling on China to respect the multilateral order in the Indo-Pacific, and Mr. Marcos appreciated this. Moreover, while India has signed dozens of such Partnership Agreements worldwide, for the Philippines, India is only its fifth Strategic Partner — after Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and South Korea. The Philippines is also the first export destination for the BrahMos missile, and Mr. Marcos is understood to have expressed interest in buying more Indian military hardware. The two sides signed agreements to enhance strategic cooperation, including an exchange of Terms of Reference for all three services and the Coast Guard. They also agreed to free up visas and begin direct flights. There is no substantial bilateral trade at present — $3.3 billion in 2024-25 — but investments are growing as technology and pharma companies have tied up in many areas.

The Marcos-Modi meetings sent out a more comprehensive message for India’s ties with South East Asia. The Philippines is the incoming chair for ASEAN in 2026, and the coordinator for the ASEAN-India comprehensive strategic partnership. The invitation to Mr. Marcos was also a way of easing relations that have been riled by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s unnecessarily abrasive remarks in June, where he called many ASEAN countries the “B-team of China”, and mocked the 2009 ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). The government has since moved to fast-track talks to revise the AITIGA, with talks in Delhi next week. India and the Philippines have separately discussed launching talks for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), indicating India’s intention to keep negotiating for a more liberalised trade regime globally even as it faces the brunt of the U.S.’s tariffs and penalties. The visit is a reminder that India’s interest in peace and security in the Indo-Pacific is not restricted to the Quad grouping, and that it is mindful of strengthening ties with all the countries in the region, especially as it essays the current geopolitical turbulence with bigger global powers.

The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025

1. Mending (verb – gerund form)

Meaning: Repairing or improving (in this case, improving strained diplomatic relations)

Synonyms: repairing, restoring, healing, reconciling

Antonyms: breaking, damaging, worsening, straining

2. Intent (noun)

Meaning: Purpose or determination to act in a certain way

Synonyms: aim, purpose, goal, resolve

Antonyms: indecision, hesitation, doubt, uncertainty

3. Hard power edge (noun phrase)

Meaning: Military or strategic strength that gives a country an advantage

Synonyms: military influence, strategic advantage, coercive strength

Antonyms: soft power, diplomatic leverage, cultural influence

4. Position (noun)

Meaning: A declared viewpoint or stand on an issue (here, against China)

Synonyms: stance, viewpoint, approach, policy

Antonyms: neutrality, indecision, vagueness

5. Incursions (noun – plural)

Meaning: Unwanted or aggressive entry into another’s territory

Synonyms: invasions, intrusions, trespasses, aggressions

Antonyms: retreats, withdrawals, exits

6. Keen (adjective)

Meaning: Eager or enthusiastic about doing something

Synonyms: eager, enthusiastic, interested, intent

Antonyms: reluctant, disinterested, indifferent, apathetic

7. Engage (verb)

Meaning: To involve or participate actively with someone or something

Synonyms: participate, involve, interact, collaborate

Antonyms: withdraw, disengage, avoid, ignore

8. Coinciding (verb – present participle)

Meaning: Happening at the same time

Synonyms: overlapping, occurring simultaneously, synchronising

Antonyms: differing, diverging, separating

 9. Consistently (adverb)

Meaning: In a steady, reliable, or continuous manner

Synonyms: regularly, steadily, constantly, uniformly

Antonyms: irregularly, inconsistently, sporadically

10. Calling on (phrasal verb)

Meaning: Urging or requesting someone to do something

Synonyms: urging, appealing to, requesting, asking

Antonyms: ignoring, dismissing, rejecting

11. Tied up (phrasal verb)

Meaning: Involved or associated with (business or cooperative ventures)

Synonyms: collaborated, partnered, joined forces, allied

Antonyms: split, disconnected, detached

12. Comprehensive (adjective)

Meaning: Complete, wide-ranging or all-inclusive

Synonyms: exhaustive, all-encompassing, broad, thorough

Antonyms: limited, narrow, incomplete, partial

13. Easing (verb – gerund)

Meaning: Making something less tense or strained (here, improving diplomatic tension)

Synonyms: relieving, improving, softening, reducing tension

Antonyms: worsening, aggravating, intensifying

14. Riled (verb – past tense)

Meaning: Annoyed or provoked

Synonyms: irritated, angered, offended, upset

Antonyms: pleased, calmed, soothed

15. Abrasive (adjective)

Meaning: Harsh, rude, or offensive in manner or speech

Synonyms: harsh, rude, cutting, offensive

Antonyms: polite, gentle, tactful, respectful

16. Mocked (verb – past tense)

Meaning: Made fun of or ridiculed

Synonyms: ridiculed, scorned, derided, belittled

Antonyms: praised, admired, respected, lauded

17. Liberalised (verb – past tense)

Meaning: Made freer, less restricted (especially in trade policies)

Synonyms: deregulated, opened up, relaxed

Antonyms: restricted, controlled, regulated

18. Faces the brunt of (phrase)

Meaning: Suffers the worst part of something negative

Synonyms: bears the burden, endures the worst, takes the hit

Antonyms: escapes, avoids, evades

19. Restricted (adjective)

Meaning: Limited in scope or freedom

Synonyms: confined, limited, controlled, regulated

Antonyms: free, liberalised, open, unrestricted

20. Essays (verb – present tense)

Meaning: Attempts or undertakes (in a formal or serious manner)

Synonyms: attempts, undertakes, ventures, tries

Antonyms: avoids, neglects, evades

21. Turbulence (noun)

Meaning: A state of disorder, conflict, or instability

Synonyms: unrest, instability, chaos, disturbance

Antonyms: stability, calm, peace, order

The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025: Formal Summary for Bank Mains Descriptive Practice

The recent visit of the Philippines President to India marks a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, especially in the backdrop of rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Both countries formalised a Strategic Partnership Agreement, with notable emphasis on defence cooperation. India conducted joint naval drills with the Philippines in the South China Sea, signalling its support for the Philippines’ territorial claims and pushing back against China’s aggressive stance. The Philippines’ interest in expanding its defence ties, including the procurement of Indian military hardware, further reflects growing strategic alignment. Additionally, both sides agreed to improve people-to-people connectivity through visa liberalisation and direct flights. While trade volumes remain modest, increasing investments in technology and pharmaceuticals indicate future potential. The visit also serves to repair recent diplomatic friction caused by controversial remarks from an Indian minister. Discussions on trade liberalisation through a Preferential Trade Agreement suggest India’s broader interest in reinforcing economic engagement in the ASEAN region. The visit reinforces India’s intent to engage with Southeast Asian nations beyond strategic groupings like the Quad, especially amidst global geopolitical volatility.

The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025: Student-Friendly Summary

India and the Philippines are working to improve their relationship, especially in areas like defence and trade. During the Philippines President’s recent visit to India, both countries signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement. India also carried out its first naval exercises with the Philippines near the South China Sea, a move that drew criticism from China. The Philippines appreciated India’s support in disputes related to the region and expressed interest in buying more Indian weapons, including missiles. Apart from defence, both sides agreed to ease visa rules and start direct flights to make travel easier. Although trade between the two countries is still small, investments are rising, especially in sectors like technology and medicines. The visit also helped ease tensions caused by a recent controversial statement made by an Indian minister about ASEAN countries. The Philippines will soon lead the ASEAN group and coordinate ties with India. Both countries also showed interest in making trade rules simpler in the future. The visit shows that India wants to deepen ties with Southeast Asia beyond just its usual allies.

The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025: Tone Analysis

The tone of the passage is mainly:

Diplomatic:

The author talks about international relations between India and the Philippines in a respectful and formal way. There is no harsh or emotional language, which is typical of diplomatic communication.

Strategic:

The article focuses on military cooperation, defence agreements, trade talks, and regional positioning. This shows that the tone is thoughtful and calculated — focusing on long-term planning and goals.

Positive and Forward-Looking: 

Despite a few issues in the past (like a minister’s rude remarks), the article shows hope and confidence about improving relations in the future. It highlights new agreements, trade possibilities, and cooperation, which makes the tone optimistic.

Measured:

The passage is balanced and calm. It does not overpraise or overcriticize any side. It presents facts in a controlled and neutral way, even when discussing tensions with China or ASEAN reactions.

The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025: Expected Essay Topics Based on the Theme of the Editorial

• Why Good Relations with Neighbouring Countries Matter
• The Importance of Building Strong International Friendships
• The Role of India in a Changing World
• India’s Path Towards Becoming a Global Leader

The Hindu Editorial 8th August 2025: Model Answer of Essay Topic

Topic: Why Good Relations with Neighbouring Countries Matter

A nation’s progress and security are deeply influenced by its relations with neighbouring countries. Good ties with neighbours promote peace, stability, and cooperation in a region, which is essential for economic growth and social development.

In India’s case, having stable and friendly relations with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka has helped improve trade, tourism, and connectivity. Strong diplomatic ties reduce the chances of conflict and create opportunities for joint initiatives in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and education. It also helps in managing shared resources like rivers and resolving border-related issues through dialogue.

Moreover, good neighbourly relations are crucial for national security. They reduce the risk of cross-border tensions and help in coordinated responses to challenges like terrorism, climate change, and illegal trade. At the same time, people-to-people exchanges through culture, sports, and education strengthen mutual trust and understanding.

However, maintaining such relations requires consistent effort, respectful diplomacy, and mutual cooperation. Disputes must be handled with sensitivity and a long-term vision.

In conclusion, friendly relations with neighbours are not just desirable, but necessary for a country’s peace, prosperity, and global standing.

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