Why is it at Stake?
In the case of India, FIMI threats originating from Pakistan and China constitute a sustained and multi-domain offensive that exploits the country’s open digital ecosystem to undermine democratic institutions, erode political and military leadership, social harmony and distort strategic decision-making. These activities pose a profound threat to India’s democratic order, national security, foreign policy autonomy, and social cohesion.
Pakistan has long operationalised information warfare through a diffuse but coordinated network of the ISI, ISPR, diplomatic channels, proxy media, diaspora influencers, and ideological NGOs. This apparatus systematically seeks to internationalise the Kashmir issue, fracture India’s social cohesion, and tarnish its democratic image on global platforms. In the wake of Operation Sindoor and its aftermath, Pakistan has launched a massive disinformation and misinformation campaign across social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter).
Key Findings
- During Operation Sindoor and post-Pahalgam terror attack developments, Pakistan launched a sophisticated FIMI disinformation campaign against India across multiple communication channels.
- Islamabad’s strategic objectives and the specific goals underpinning its FIMI activities were identified through empirical examples.
- Islamabad instrumentalised foreign media outlets and influential X personalities to amplify disinformation and misinformation efforts.
- Pakistan, China, Azerbaijan and Turkey’s strategic partnership assisted in amplification of Pakistan-linked narratives across state-aligned and linked channels.
- Covert Turkey-Pakistan propaganda coordination in media operations was identified with activity patterns dating back to 2014.
- Pakistan has weaponised misinformation to maximise the impact of wider disinformation operations.
Policy Recommendation
To effectively counter FIMI operations and campaigns, India must shift from a fragmented, reactive posture to a proactive, institutionalised, integrated and multi-domain national strategy.
- Develop a tailored FIMI concept and comprehensive framework for India.
- Establish a National Strategic Communications Centre.
- Diversify the functions of the PIB’s Fact Checking Unit (FCU).
- Advance research-led institutional capacity to counter FIMI.
- Integrate FIMI-disinformation mechanisms into national education and media literacy.
- Enact dedicated FIMI legislation.
- Deepen international cooperation.
