Information warfare: How India battles global chaos

In a world intricately connected by digital networks, information is power—but disinformation can become a devastating weapon. The unprecedented rise of social media has brought a deluge of unverified narratives, orchestrated campaigns, and deliberately crafted lies designed to sow division, confusion, and chaos. No country is immune, but India, with its complex societal fabric and strategic global importance, finds itself particularly vulnerable to targeted misinformation by foreign non-state actors and hostile states. India's experience highlights a global challenge: how do nations effectively defend themselves in an age when information itself can become weaponized?

Social media platforms—Twitter (now X), Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube—have reshaped how billions of people consume news and interact daily. This digital ecosystem, while democratizing information, also serves as fertile ground for deliberate disinformation. With few barriers to entry, sophisticated hostile actors exploit these platforms to propagate false narratives, manipulate public sentiment, and exacerbate tensions, especially during sensitive situations like communal unrest, elections, geopolitical conflicts, and crises.

India, with its vibrant democracy, multicultural identity, and strategic geopolitical position, is a frequent target of these operations. Recent instances demonstrate clearly how misinformation campaigns—often originating from adversarial foreign entities—have attempted to inflame tensions along religious, ethnic, and regional fault lines within the country. False narratives about interfaith relationships, fabricated accounts of atrocities, distorted reportage on Kashmir and Punjab, and manipulated visuals from communal incidents are routinely spread through coordinated online campaigns.

The severity of these attacks underscores a troubling reality: disinformation is no longer just a tactic of isolated fringe groups—it has become a strategic tool deployed by adversarial states and sophisticated non-state actors seeking geopolitical leverage. Intelligence reports indicate repeated instances where orchestrated misinformation originating in neighboring countries and non-state extremist groups sought to amplify internal Indian disputes. Platforms like WhatsApp have been weaponized, with misleading content virally circulated in vernacular languages, often bypassing traditional gatekeepers and rapidly embedding deep-rooted suspicion among communities.

This phenomenon was evident during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, the Delhi riots of 2020, tensions over farmer reforms, and recent unrest in northeastern India. Each incident saw an influx of deliberately falsified videos, doctored images, and misleading narratives amplified by suspicious foreign handles and troll farms. These campaigns, traced back by digital forensics experts, indicate sophisticated efforts designed to undermine societal cohesion and tarnish India's international reputation.

Yet, amidst this turbulence, Indian media has displayed commendable resilience. A growing segment of responsible Indian media—both mainstream and digital—has proactively countered misinformation through rigorous fact-checking, swift debunking of fake stories, and clear, evidence-based reporting. Organizations like Press Trust of India (PTI), Asian News International (ANI), and fact-checking groups such as Alt News, Factly, Dinsinfo Lab and PIB Fact Check have emerged at the forefront of the battle against disinformation. They quickly identify and dismantle falsehoods, disseminating corrections and verified facts through social media and official channels.

Television channels, often criticized for sensationalism, have also increasingly stepped up. Many have instituted dedicated fact-check desks, investing in advanced technological tools and digital forensics to trace origins of false narratives. News portals collaborate across borders, sharing methodologies to counteract misinformation. These proactive measures ensure that the Indian public receives accurate information, helping blunt the impact of coordinated misinformation attacks.

Simultaneously, recognizing the magnitude of the threat, the Indian government has moved decisively to deploy official machinery against disinformation. Realizing that unchecked falsehoods can destabilize society, affect national security, and influence democratic processes, the government has prioritized developing robust institutional responses. The Press Information Bureau (PIB), India's nodal government media body, operates an active 'PIB Fact Check' unit specifically tasked with identifying and correcting misinformation on a timely basis. Using official social media handles, PIB Fact Check swiftly debunks fake news related to government policies, statements, and national events, helping reduce public anxiety and confusion.

Moreover, India's cybersecurity framework has intensified coordination with intelligence agencies to detect disinformation campaigns early. Dedicated units within security agencies now specialize in monitoring digital spaces, tracing and dismantling coordinated misinformation attacks from abroad. During sensitive situations—such as elections or international summits—India deploys dedicated cybersecurity teams to monitor digital information flows continuously.

India has also leveraged international platforms, highlighting globally the destructive potential of coordinated disinformation campaigns. At forums like G20, QUAD, and the United Nations, India advocates for global cooperation to tackle misinformation, emphasizing shared vulnerabilities. India's leadership repeatedly underscores the need for transparency and accountability by global social media corporations, advocating responsible content management practices and quicker responses in flagging harmful misinformation.

However, challenges remain. Social media giants based overseas continue to face criticism for inconsistent enforcement, opaque policies, and delayed responsiveness. Algorithm-driven platforms inadvertently amplify sensationalist or misleading content because such posts typically attract more engagement. India continues to push global platforms towards accountability, transparency, and meaningful cooperation with national regulatory bodies to tackle the disinformation crisis systematically.

Ultimately, India's experience underscores crucial lessons for the global community. In an interconnected age, disinformation is more than a mere nuisance—it represents a severe national security threat, capable of sparking communal violence, exacerbating diplomatic tensions, and destabilizing democracies. India's proactive, multi-layered response—comprising media vigilance, governmental fact-checking, technological advancements, international diplomacy, and civil society cooperation—provides a valuable model that other nations facing similar threats can emulate.

The battle against misinformation, therefore, must remain ongoing and comprehensive. Combating misinformation requires collective responsibility—media organizations, tech giants, governments, and citizens themselves must collaborate. Responsible journalism, robust regulatory frameworks, sophisticated cyber-defense strategies, and informed public awareness must form an integrated approach to defeating disinformation.

As India navigates this challenging terrain, its resilience demonstrates the broader global imperative to prioritize truth, transparency, and digital responsibility. Disinformation is undoubtedly a powerful weapon—but with vigilance, accountability, and cooperation, it is a weapon whose effectiveness can be decisively neutralized.