In each of the question given below, a statement has been given with two blanks. Some words or phrases have been given in the options following the statement. Choose the most appropriate words that could fit in the statement to make it contextually meaningful and grammatically correct. In an era of shifting alliances, foreign policy demands the capacity to act decisively without appearing ________ or ________.

The sentence warns against two diplomatic risks. “Inconsistent” reflects the danger of appearing unreliable in changing alliances, while “impulsive” captures the risk of acting rashly without adequate deliberation. Both words logically align with the caution implied by the sentence. Option (a) is incorrect because “rigid” and “assertive” are not necessarily negative in diplomacy. Option (b) fails because “hesitant” contradicts acting decisively, and “adaptive” is a positive trait. Option (d) is incorrect as both words describe desirable diplomatic qualities. Option (e) also fails because flexibility and pragmatism are generally positive, not risks to be avoided.