Set up unit to counter anti-India narratives: House panel to MEA
Why in news?
A parliamentary panel recently recommended the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish a dedicated unit to counter anti-India narratives, particularly amid misinformation from Bangladeshi media.​
Recommendation Details
- The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Shashi Tharoor, proposed a communication and perception management unit within MEA's External Publicity & Public Diplomacy Division.
- This unit would monitor, analyze, and rebut anti-India rhetoric on issues like water sharing, border security, and cultural sensitivities, using social media trends and coordinated efforts across ministries.​
Existing Counter Measures
- India's PIB Fact Check Unit actively debunks foreign propaganda, such as during Operation Sindoor, by fact-checking posts, sharing corrections with platforms, and blocking over 1,400 URLs under Section 69A of the IT Act.
- A 24x7 inter-ministerial control room, involving defense forces and PIB, disseminated authentic information via briefings with visuals and satellite imagery to combat fake news from Pakistan.​
Broader Context
- Past actions include blocking Pakistan-based YouTube channels and websites spreading divisive content on Kashmir and minorities, as coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- These efforts highlight India's institutional focus on narrative defense without a single formalized "anti-India narratives counter unit" yet in place.​
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