India is set to intensify its diplomatic offensive against Pakistan’s false narrative by deploying four delegations of Members of Parliament (MPs) to various countries starting May 2023. This strategic move aims to directly present India’s perspective on critical issues, including terrorism and regional stability, while countering Pakistan’s misinformation at the international level.
Engaging with Lawmakers and Opinion Leaders
These delegations, composed of senior and experienced MPs, will engage with lawmakers, government officials, and opinion leaders in host countries. By presenting authentic data and evidence of Pakistan’s support for terrorism and its false propaganda campaigns, the MPs will effectively counter misleading narratives. Such direct diplomatic engagement is expected to enhance India’s credibility and ensure that friendly nations are well-informed about South Asia’s security dynamics.
Expected Impact of the Diplomatic Initiative
The expected impact of these delegations may be significant. First, they aim to highlight India’s commitment to peace, regional stability, and counter-terrorism efforts. Second, they will expose Pakistan’s attempts to manipulate global opinion with fabricated stories. Finally, the delegations will reinforce bilateral ties by demonstrating India’s openness and transparency in addressing regional challenges. Fourth, Strengthening Fact-Checking Mechanisms India has bolstered its fact-checking infrastructure to promptly identify and counter false narratives. Organizations like the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit play a crucial role in debunking misinformation and disseminating accurate information to the public. Collaborations with independent fact-checking entities further enhance these efforts. India also engages directly with social media platforms, urging them to identify and suspend fake accounts spreading anti-India propaganda. Such collaborations have led to the removal of hundreds of fake accounts operated by Pakistan.
Leveraging International Partnerships
India has engaged with international partners and platforms to curb the spread of disinformation. By collaborating with social media companies and leveraging diplomatic channels, India aims to hold Pakistan accountable for its propaganda campaigns and prevent the dissemination of false information globally. Indian diplomatic missions worldwide are actively engaging with host governments, providing evidence of Pakistan’s disinformation campaigns and urging them to take a balanced view on South Asian security issues.
Enhancing Public Awareness and Media Literacy to build resilience against disinformation
India is investing in media literacy programs that educate citizens on identifying and countering fake news. Initiatives targeting various demographics, including students and rural populations, are essential in fostering a well-informed society capable of resisting propaganda.
Public awareness campaigns highlighting Pakistan’s history of misinformation may further strengthen public resilience. Media outlets are also encouraged to verify information before reporting, reducing the spread of false narratives.
Strategic Communication and Narrative Building
India is proactively crafting and disseminating its own narratives to counter Pakistan’s propaganda. By highlighting its commitment to peace, development, and counter-terrorism, India seeks to reinforce its image as a responsible global actor. Engaging with international media and think tanks further amplifies India’s perspective on regional issues. Indian armed forces are regularly providing briefings with verified data, showcasing successful operations and counter-terrorism efforts. Such transparency strengthens India’s narrative and exposes Pakistan’s false claims.
Pakistan’s Social Media Manipulation and Bot Networks
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has been instrumental in disseminating false narratives through an extensive network of fake social media accounts. Reports indicate that ISPR operates approximately 20,000 fake handles, which are used to propagate misleading information and shape public opinion. These accounts often impersonate various ethnic and religious identities to sow discord within India and among its allies. For instance, during the Prophet Remarks controversy, over 60,000 Twitter posts, many originating from Pakistan, were used to amplify anti-India sentiments and calls for boycotts.
Additionally, ISPR leverages popular social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, to circulate doctored videos and misleading images portraying Pakistan as a victim of Indian aggression. These manipulated posts are further amplified by pro-Pakistan influencers and sympathizers worldwide, creating a false perception of India’s actions.
Fabrication of Events and Misrepresentation
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s state apparatus disseminated several fabricated claims to mislead both domestic and international audiences. The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit in India debunked numerous false reports, including alleged attacks on Indian military installations and fabricated visuals of Indian casualties. These efforts aim to create confusion and undermine India’s credibility. Notably, Pakistani state media channels aired footage claiming Indian aircraft had been shot down, which was later proven false. Such narratives were designed to assure the domestic population that Pakistan had effectively countered India’s actions, despite the loss of eight airbases and nine terror camps targeted in the operation.
Pakistan Press Briefing | file
State-Controlled Media Narratives and International Propaganda
Pakistan’s military and government have utilized state-controlled media to project a narrative of victimhood and resilience. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, as the Director-General of ISPR, conducted press briefings emphasizing civilian casualties and damage to religious sites, portraying India’s actions as unprovoked aggression. Such narratives are designed to garner international sympathy and divert attention from Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups.
State-run channels such as PTV News and Radio Pakistan frequently feature analysts aligned with the government narrative, who falsely claim that Pakistan has inflicted significant losses on India. These orchestrated discussions aim to strengthen domestic support and maintain the illusion of victory.
Pakistan has also attempted to internationalize the Kashmir issue and India’s internal matters by raising them in global forums like the United Nations. These efforts often involve presenting distorted facts and unverified claims to malign India’s image. For example, Pakistan’s envoy to the UN has previously propagated false narratives against India, which were effectively countered by Indian representatives highlighting Pakistan’s own record of harbouring terrorists.
In addition, Pakistan has actively engaged with sympathetic international organizations, lobbying for condemnations of India’s actions and presenting itself as a victim of Indian aggression. Such efforts are designed to pressure India diplomatically while diverting attention from Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan Achieves A Limited Success
Despite these efforts, sustaining the disinformation narrative has proven challenging for Pakistan. Independent fact-checking organizations and international media have debunked numerous false claims, exposing the extent of the misinformation. For example, the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit in India has refuted several fabricated reports, including alleged attacks on Indian military installations and misrepresented visuals of Indian casualties.
Post-Operation Sindoor
While Pakistan has made concerted efforts to manage public perception following the big setbacks of Operation Sindoor, these attempts have been met with limited success. The widespread dissemination of disinformation has been countered by vigilant fact-checking and the public’s growing media literacy, leading to a more informed and skeptical populace.
Pakistan’s disinformation campaign following Operation Sindoor underscores the importance of information warfare in modern conflicts. By employing a combination of social media manipulation, state-controlled narratives, and international propaganda, Pakistan aims to obscure the realities of its actions and undermine India’s global standing. However, India’s multifaceted counter-strategy—encompassing robust fact-checking, international collaboration, public education, and strategic communication—remains crucial in neutralizing these efforts and ensuring that truth prevails in the information domain.
(Writer is strategic affairs columnist having six –year stint of foreign posting and senior political analyst)
