Rapprochement

Derived from the French word ‘rapprocher’ meaning ‘to bring together’. It denotes the establishment or reestablishment of harmonious and friendly relations between two former foes or two countries which have had political disagreements in the past. Many countries today are involved in a process of rapprochement – some examples include US & Cuba, US & Iran, Israel & Palestine, and India & Pakistan. The deepening dialogue between the West and the Muslim world, more generally, can also be seen as a form of rapprochement.