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Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Military notes — perceptual battle between India and Pakistan
The writer is a retired major general and has an interest in International Relations and Political Sociology. He can be reached at tayyarinam@ and tweets @20_Inam Listen to article In a series from this week, we shall explore the various dimensions of the May 2025 India-Pakistan stand-off after the Pahalgam carnage on April 22, 2025. First, what happened in the perceptual world? The aftermath of Pahalgam and Operation Bunyan Marsus (Iron Wall) should demonstrate 'strategic humility'. Miscalculations by Indian leaders – political and military – should never be forgiven in silence. In 'teaching Pakistan a lesson', India not only 'altered the regional equation', it also rehyphenated with Pakistan, something it loathed, after its hard-won Clinton-era de-hyphenation. And New Delhi unwittingly exposed itself to a parity with Islamabad that it vehemently denied under hubris, arrogance and over-confidence. Rabid anchors like Arnab Goswami and military analysts like the froth-fuming Maj Gen Gagandeep Bakhshi and Major Gaurav Arya steered the debate about complex realities into loud nationalism, muting the voices of reason from the few and far between. They turned national strategy into a charade of slogans without substance. India, in doing so, lost its strategic narrative. Intoxicated with its new-found economic relevance, India walked into the trap of 'buying and bullying into influence', only to lose both. It triggered the most dangerous regional escalation since Kargil without any investigation, without any shareable proof, without any satellite imagery, without any international inquiry and without remorse, just guided by 'nationalist theatrics', media jingoism and short-term political gains – all to abrogate Indus Water Treaty and humiliate Pakistan. And it failed. A 'pauper' Pakistani response sent India suing for ceasefire, after being forced out of the skies, after targeted destruction on land, and a good drubbing in Kashmir. New Delhi 'mistook Pakistan's composure for collapse'. Islamabad's response was doctrinal and not theatrical. Pakistan's 'digital kill web' proved far more dangerous than terrorism, which India blames on Islamabad. The 16-hour skirmish diminished India's role as a counterbalance to China, as a rising regional power and as a reliable partner. Instead of teaching a lesson to Pakistan, India was taught one – worth inclusion in the syllabi of all staff colleges and war courses. From the skirmish, neither Pakistan emerged as a dwarf two-foot David, nor India as a loud-talking 10-foot Goliath. India was humbled by the unkindness of the event. Karachi did not fall, Islamabad remained steadfast, and Lahore kept pulsating, with daredevil Pakistanis eulogising their soldiers who were busy firing their deadly arsenal towards India from their fields, from their neighborhoods, and praying elders overseeing salvo after salvo. It was a national Bunyan Marsus. Pakistan did not escalate; it equalised India's perceptual superiority. It emerged not as a weakened state, but an awakened country. Pakistan didn't blink, and stood its ground with dignity, restraint, precision and strategy. Modi 'perceptually' had a bigger stick that now lies broken, and his power stands exposed not only to Pakistan, but to the admirers of 'shining India' worldwide. India, in public perception, lost its 'dominance' not through outright defeat, but through overreach, despite the 'theatrical illusion of victory' that Indian media continues to showcase for psychological conquest of its citizenry. India's myth of conventional superiority, built and carefully managed for such an eventuality, lies in chaotic collapse before the public eye. Pakistan's poverty, touted repeatedly over a berserk India media, is recognised by the world as its 'cool hardiness'. Islamabad emerged as a calm, articulate player and as a disciplined nuclear power, which can demonstrate restraint, resolve and resilience. And that its dwarfed defence spending, compared to New Delhi's $85 billion defence budget, still enables and equips its armed forces with doctrine, deterrence and determination to hold its nerve under fire. Pakistan absorbed Operation Sindoor with a resolute defensive response and then responded with its own 'Bunyan Marsus', rewriting the rules of deterrence. Consequentially, Pakistan gains more confidence and relevance, which is already buttressed by its geostrategic location at the crossroads of Karakoram, the Silk Road, South and Central Asia; and it being key to regional stability for 2.8 billion South Asians. The strategic map has shifted and with it the world's perspective. Pakistan once branded as a 'failing state', today emerges as a reliable strategic balancer. This isn't just a strategic shift in the regional power dynamics, it is a psychological jolt and a rude awakening for Modi's Hindutva-laced, RSS dominated, bigoted brand. Just when detractors thought Pakistan was sliding into a second fiddle status, Modi burnished its image by becoming Pakistan's unlikely brand ambassador, through his absurd persistence and stubborn obsession to turn Pakistan into a pliant state. From being overlooked to being overanalyzed and over-examined, Islamabad is back in global conversations especially among the dithering Arab world. Second, India suffered doctrinal collapse. This brief war demonstrated India's 'doctrinal collapse', militarily as well as in the perceptual domains. Ajit Doval's sinister scheming to flush TTP, BLA and BRA with cash, incite synchronised uprising in KP and Balochistan, exploit Pakistan's many cleavages and turn Afghan borderlands and Pakistan into an inferno for Pakistan's military backfired squarely, roundly and embarrassingly. The operation, contrarily, jelled Pakistan's inner front like hell. India mistook Pakistan's doctrinal maturity as fragility. Literature, at break-neck speed, is coming out with analysts reading, re-reading and analysing the 16 hours of combat that shaped South Asia and the world's military balance. Dassault Aviation's share prices plunged, whereas Chinese defense stocks AVIC, ALD Chengdu surged. Modi's India miscalculated militarily, decided to ignore geopolitics, misread the doctrine, misjudged Pakistan's internal dynamics and resolve and overplayed its hand in trying to redefine South Asia's balance of power. A leaf from Israel's playbook did not match Chanakya Kotalia's script. India's doctrine of punitive retaliation through swift operations is broken operationally not just symbolically. By denying truth to its own people and by constantly lying to unfathomable extents during this war, India lost any remaining credibility for its media, official and unofficial. Modi's strongman image took an irreparable hit, and his tattered ego is littered with strategic miscalculation, economic overreach, doctrinal unpreparedness and moral bankruptcy, exposing India's own multiple fault lines. The dictum of the history is clear, New Delhi is not the victor in this round, Islamabad is. Bunyan Marsus was 'Pakistan's rendezvous with history' an existential moment of great peril, handled with dignity and precision. Allah be praised! Continues...
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka HC stays Congress's case against Amit Malviya, Arnab Goswami
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed criminal proceedings against BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya and Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami in a case related to allegedly spreading misinformation about the Indian National Congress operating an office in Turkey. The interim order in this case was passed by a single-judge vacation bench of Justice S Rachaiah. The matter is set to be heard again on June 20. Swaroop B N, the head of the Indian Youth Congress's legal cell, had filed a complaint in this case at Bengaluru's High Ground police station. The FIR under sections 192 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, under charges related to provocation to cause riot and insult to provoke breach of the peace, had alleged that Malviya and Goswami had made an attempt to malign the Congress by circulating the claim that the Istanbul Congress Center building was the party's office. In his petition before the high court, Malviya urged that the case be quashed and the investigation be stayed in the interim. His counsel argued that the opinions expressed on the issue of the Congress having an office in Turkey during a programme were unrelated to the Istanbul Congress Center issue, with the image of the same having been inadvertently posted. In a corrigendum published on Tuesday evening on X, Republic TV said that 'an incorrect image was inadvertently used, erroneously depicting a building as the Congress office in Turkey by a video editor on the digital desk due to a technical error…The image had no connection to the content or context of the said video. This clip was not broadcast on Arnab Goswami's debate show on 15th May 2025 or thereafter, and was not taken on-air, nor was the said erroneous image in any way related to the subject matter being discussed.' Congress general secretary in charge of communication, Jairam Ramesh, had stated on social media that he hoped that the court would consider the damage caused by 'repeated and deliberate malicious acts of these habitual offenders'. The controversy broke out amid heightened tensions between India and Turkey, sparked by the latter's support for Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's military response, Operation Sindoor.
Memri
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Indian Journalist Arnab Goswami Suggests Boycotting Turkey: Pakistan Used Turkish Drones to Attempt Infiltration of India
Indian journalist Arnab Goswami said that Pakistan had used 300-400 Turkish Asisguard Songar drones to attempt to infiltrate 36 locations in Indian territory, in what he called a 'major escalation by Turkey.' Furthermore, Goswami, said that it was 'strongly suspected' that Turkish nationals had operated the drones. Speaking on 'The Debate with Arnad' on Republic TV on May 9, 2025, Goswami said that 'many people are beginning to evaluate whether we need to have any business or other connections with Turkey, whether people need to go there on holiday, whether they should support Turkish tourism, but more importantly, whether Turkish companies should be allowed to operate in India.' The program was posted on the Republic World YouTube channel. Goswami is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Republic Media Network.
Scroll.in
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Amit Malviya, Arnab Goswami booked for false claim about ‘Congress office in Turkey'
The Bengaluru Police on Tuesday filed a first information report against the Bharatiya Janata Party's social media cell chief Amit Malviya and Republic TV's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami for falsely claiming that the Istanbul Congress Center is an office of the Indian National Congress. The case was filed based on a complaint by the Indian Youth Congress' legal cell head Shrikant Swaroop BN under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot and intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace. The complainant alleged that the claim was made 'with clear and undeniable criminal intent to deceive the Indian public, defame a major political institution, manipulate nationalist sentiments, incite public unrest, and undermine national security and democratic integrity'. The Indian Youth Congress further noted that the claims were made in the context of tense India-Turkey relations due to Ankara's support for Pakistan during heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad after Operation Sindoor. The Youth Congress, in a post on X, accused Malviya and Goswami of attempting to defame the constitutional office of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. 'Their relentless propaganda, designed to discredit Congress leadership and incite unrest, has crossed every limit of decency and legality,' the Indian Youth Congress said. 'This is a warning to all purveyors of fake news, defaming our leaders and attacking democracy will invite strong legal and political consequences.' 🚨 Time's up for Amit Malviya and Arnab Goswami 🚨 An FIR has been filed in Karnataka under non-bailable sections against @amitmalviya and @republic Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami for defaming the constitutional office of Leader of Opposition Shri @RahulGandhi. Their relentless… — Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) May 20, 2025 The building shown in the news segment on May 15 is the Istanbul Congress Center, a convention venue owned by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Alt News reported. Although the Indian National Congress had announced plans in 2019 to open an overseas office in Istanbul and appointed Mohammad Yusuf Khan to lead it, there have been no updates since, and Turkey is not listed on the Indian Overseas Congress website, the fact-checking website added. Republic TV said on Tuesday that the image was mistakenly used by a video editor on the digital desk due to a 'technical error'. 'The inadvertent error occurred after the live show ended and was carried on the digital platform,' the channel said. 'The moment it was brought to our attention, it was promptly rectified. We sincerely and unconditionally regret the error.' The Congress, however, said that an apology was not sufficient as redressal for the error. Republic Corrigendum — Republic (@republic) May 20, 2025 Time to face the music — Congress (@INCIndia) May 20, 2025 After the Congress announced that the case had been filed, Malviya posted a clip from the show on his social media once again and commented: 'The FIR is for this video. Imagine.' The FIR is for this video. Imagine. — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 20, 2025
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Congress Office In Turkey? Party Sues Amit Malviya, Journalist For Defamation
NEW DELHI: The Congress has filed a police case against the BJP's Amit Malviya and Editor-in-Chief of Republic, Arnab Goswami. They have been accused of spreading malicious disinformation about the Congress having an office in Turkey. In their post, they also mentioned defamation of "the constitutional office of the Leader of Opposition" Rahul Gandhi. . The Congress Legal Cell said it was a "malicious attempt" to malign the party, "provoke unrest, undermine national security" and a direct attack on democracy. "We will not stay silent," it added in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "Let this be a clear message: Any attempt to spread fake news against our party or its leadership will be met with firm legal and political response," it added. Under the direction of @IYC In-charge Shri @Allavaru Ji, National President @UdayBhanuIYC Ji, and Our Chairman @RoopeshINC Ji, an FIR has been registered under non-bailable sections against @amitmalviya and Arnab Goswami Editor-in-Chief, @republic for defaming the constitutional... — IYC Legal Cell (@IYCLegalCell) May 20, 2025 In its complaint, the Congress said Mr Malviya and Mr Goswami had started circulating a fake claim that the Istanbul Congress Center in Turkey is the office of the Indian National Congress. "This act was executed with clear and undeniable criminal intent to deceive the Indian public, defame a major political institution, manipulate nationalist sentiments, incite public unrest, and undermine national security and democratic integrity". They have been accused of "masterminding a heinous and criminally motivated campaign to disseminate patently false information". The public mood in the country has been strongly against Turkey since its support to Pakistan during the Operation Sindoor. There has been a massive backlash with bookings for Turkey being cancelled, universities cancelling programmes with their Turkish counterparts and Turkish firms being given marching orders. "This orchestrated campaign is not a mere ethical lapse but a deliberate criminal conspiracy, executed with premeditation to cause public harm, destabilize the nation, and advance partisan agendas. The accused have abused their positions of influence-Mr. Malviya as a key political strategist and Mr. Goswami as a prominent media figure-to perpetrate a grave assault on truth, public safety, and national interest," read the First Information Report filed in the matter.
