The Battle for Perception: International Media on Pakistan vs India

The recent conflict between Pakistan and India has halted following a ceasefire mediated by world leaders. With the ceasefire, the situation on the kinetic front has gradually de-escalated after both countries, particularly India, became aware of the potential battlefield and diplomatic consequences. However, India indisputably lost the global narrative war as international media outlets reported significant military setbacks, damaging its military reputation and identifying India’s antagonism and vanity as the cause of the conflict between two nuclear powers. Consequently, India, traditionally seen as the more stable and democratic actor, has lost standing in the global arena.

The conflict

The conflict between both countries erupted after a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22, with New Delhi accusing Islamabad. Pakistan categorically denied any involvement and even invited an independent international probe to verify its stance. However, despite this offer of cooperation, on May 6th, India chose a path of conflict and attacked civilian areas in different cities of Pakistan, causing the deaths of more than 31 civilians, including women and children.

The turning point in the kinetic phase was Pakistan’s strategic military response, executed with precision and clarity. Islamabad took down five Indian jets, including three French-made Rafales, two Su-30, one Mig 29, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pakistan’s air defense capabilities. Notably, Pakistan successfully targeted India’s advanced Russian-made S-400 air defense systems at two military bases, in addition to rendering 70 per cent of India’s power grids inoperative in a cyber attack.

In a remarkable air defence feat, Pakistan dismantled dozens of Israeli-made Harop drones, protecting its airspace and minimizing civilian casualties. Moreover, the successful strikes on Indian military assets at Uri and other strategic locations further crippled India’s supply chain, marking a significant blow to its operational readiness.

Beyond the Headlines: How Global Media and Think Tanks are Reshaping Narratives

If the ceasefire endures, the coming weeks will witness a new battle: a war of narratives. Jason Burk, an international security correspondent for The Guardian, highlighted this in his analysis. In a world often dominated by power and wealth, Pakistan has distinguished itself through its resilience in safeguarding its borders and its ability to build deterrence against a long-supported adversary, whose aim was to undermine Pakistan’s regional standing. This achievement is attributed to winning a contemporary conflict – the war of narratives.

The ceasefire may have ended the kinetic phase, but the war of narratives is now underway giving major blows to India’s perception of its global praise. Major global media outlets have seemingly recalibrated their perceptions, acknowledging Pakistan’s strategic prowess and India’s diplomatic blunders.

Reuters reported that Pakistan successfully downed two of India’s prized French-made Rafale fighter jets, a rare feat that challenged India’s claims of air dominance.

CNN described the dogfight as the “longest airspace encounter in the history of aviation,” reflecting the intensity and Pakistan’s enduring resolve.

Al Jazeera and TRT World have also covered Pakistan’s military achievements extensively, highlighting how the country managed to fend off a much larger adversary without escalating the conflict to civilian centers.

The same redefined global narrative was seen on TRT who highlighted the war hysteria of Indian media and their deliberate attempts to project Pakistan as a terrorist state.

The National Interest a Washington based think tank mirrored a subtle approach of Pakistan’s dynamic appearance on global arena as a cogent actor in South Asia after its defensive operation against Indian aggression.

What worries the world most is how the myth of India’s aviation superiority got busted by the Chinese made Pakistani jets. To world, this implies the beginning of an era of shifting strategic dynamics.

Asia Times reflected upon the unprecedented credibility crisis India has suffered during this conflict with Pakistan. The institute referred the loss of French made Rafales at hands of Pakistan Air Force a humiliating blow to India’s claim about regional supremacy.

Le-Monde was also seen chewing over the cost of this crisis for India-in terms of the military losses acknowledged by a security source of Indian side while speaking to Agence France Press.

Traditionally critical of Pakistan’s role in regional security dynamics, these influential institutions appear to be adopting a more nuanced, and at times, even conciliatory tone in their analyses and pronouncements. This evolving perspective warrants closer examination, particularly in understanding the factors driving this apparent recalibration and its potential implications for future Indo-Pak relations and broader geopolitical strategies.

Narrative Loss: India’s Miscalculations and Isolation

The discourse analysis of the language, tone and the selection of words by international media make the global narrative shift evident not specifically in favor of Pakistan, but hostile towards India’s continuous hate narrative certainly.

Several factors contributed to India’s loss of the narrative battle:

Questionable Justifications: Despite its aggressive posturing, India failed to provide credible evidence to support its allegations against Pakistan regarding the IIOJK attack. The international community, including the United States, encouraged a neutral investigation, but New Delhi’s refusal made its claims appear politically motivated. Instead, Pakistan exposed India’s role in patronizing separatist militants inside Pak, operating in Balochistan.
Diplomatic Fallout: India’s aggressive stance isolated it diplomatically. While Pakistan garnered support from influential states like China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, and several Middle Eastern countries, India’s rhetoric of retaliation failed to resonate globally.
Domestic Backlash: The Modi administration’s decision to escalate drew criticism domestically, with anti-Muslim riots erupting across India and Kashmir. The revocation of Article 370 and suppression of dissent in IIOJK resurfaced as focal points, amplifying concerns over human rights violations.
Weaponization of Water: India’s threat to suspend the 64-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, which regulates water sharing between the two countries, was condemned internationally. This act was perceived as a breach of humanitarian norms, further eroding India’s diplomatic standing.

Washington’s Balancing Act: Mediation Hints

The United States, which traditionally maintained strategic ties with India, surprisingly expressed a balanced stance. President Donald Trump, while reiterating his good relations with both countries, did not shy away from offering mediation. This was a blow to New Delhi’s long-held stance of opposing third-party intervention in the Kashmir dispute.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s direct communication with both sides further highlighted the urgency of preventing escalation. The U.S. subtly acknowledged Pakistan’s responsible conduct by advocating dialogue rather than endorsing India’s punitive rhetoric.

A Changed Media Landscape: Pakistan is Not the Aggressor

For decades, global media outlets have often framed Pakistan as an instigator in regional conflicts. However, the recent ceasefire has seen a shift:

BBC cautiously refrained from labeling Pakistan as the aggressor, emphasizing the need for impartial investigations.
The Guardian highlighted the long-standing Kashmir issue as a root cause, subtly questioning India’s hardline policies.
TRT World focused on the human cost of Indian strikes on Pakistani civilians, challenging the justification of India’s offensive.
New York Times delineated Indian officials accepting their military markdown against Pak Air Force calling India’s strategic capabilities into question.

This transformation in media tone underscores how India’s aggressive actions have inadvertently swayed global sympathy towards Pakistan.

Why India Lost the Global Narrative?

Under the careful yet subtle analysis of shifting global discourse, India’s loss to this battle of global narratives can be attributed to its failure to prove what it claims. Its narrative—fueled by aggressive nationalism—fell short against Pakistan’s measured responses and diplomatic overtures. Furthermore, India’s attempts to leverage its strategic partnerships with Russia, the U.S., and France did not translate into unconditional support, reflecting a cautious global approach to South Asian instability.

A Strategic Triumph for Pakistan

By maintaining operational discipline, prioritizing military targets, and minimizing civilian casualties, Pakistan successfully projected itself as a responsible and capable actor. The international media, for the first time in years, acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic depth and diplomatic restraint.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles, the battle of narratives will shape the future dynamics between India and Pakistan. With the U.S. now hinting at a mediatory role in the Kashmir issue, India’s traditional refusal to accept third-party involvement stands challenged. Moreover, Pakistan has managed to internationalize the Kashmir cause and achieved the narrative success which may encourage a reevaluation of South Asia’s strategic calculus among global powers.

Ultimately, the recent conflict has left a lasting imprint on how the world perceives the Pak-Indo rivalry. In this new landscape, Pakistan has not only survived the kinetic confrontation but also emerged victorious in the arena of global narratives—a triumph that may well define the region’s diplomatic future.

Faiqa Khanam

Faiqa Khanam is a media graduate and Gold Medalist from the University of the Punjab, where she was also honored with the Roll of Honour. She has previously worked with several non-profit organizations and is currently serving as a Research Associate at South Asia Times.

South Asia Times

The Battle for Perception: International Media on Pakistan vs India