Weaponization of Narratives: The India-Israel Playbook

Global perceptions have emerged as a new battleground, where nations increasingly invest resources. Modern conflicts are often defined by the weaponization of narratives rather than traditional military engagements. Recognizing the significance of this shift, Israel has commended India’s strategic expertise in narrative warfare and seeks its guidance.

Amid growing international criticism, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar recently highlighted a critical issue: Israel’s underinvestment in soft power. Soft power, the capacity to influence through attraction and persuasion rather than force, has become essential in shaping global opinions and fostering diplomatic success. On December 11, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, acknowledged Israel’s challenges in leveraging soft power during conflicts, noting a stark contrast with India’s success in balancing both hard and soft power to address complex regional issues.

In an interview with The Times of India editors, Azar stated, “You have been combining hard and soft power in the way that you have been challenging these groups. Frankly, we haven’t been investing enough because most of our investment went to hard power, not to soft power.”

Hidden Atrocities and the Weaponization of Narratives in Modern Conflicts

Gruesome videos of Israeli bombings in Palestine, circulating widely on social media, have sparked global outrage. In stark contrast, India’s war crimes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) largely escape international scrutiny. The key to this disparity lies in India’s adept use of soft power and the weaponization of narratives, allowing it to master information warfare, control narratives, and shape global perceptions effectively.

India’s Mastery of the Weaponization of Narratives

India’s Bollywood and media machinery have effectively sanitized its global image. After the 9/11 incident, Indian cinema has done extensive work to project Muslims as supporters and promoters of terrorism and insurgencies in India, Kashmir or elsewhere. Films such as Tere Bin Laden, Ek Tha Tiger, and Mission Majnu serve as tools in India’s digital war which perpetuate stereotypes of Muslims as terrorists and insurgents on one hand and subtly discrediting Pakistan on the other hand.

Press freedom in India has faced significant challenges under the Modi government, with several journalists arrested and independent voices stifled. India’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index dropped to 161 in 2023 from 150 in 2022, marking its lowest position to date.

In 2021, leaked documents revealed that Pegasus spyware was used to target over 1,000 Indian phone numbers. The accusations pointed to New Delhi’s surveillance of journalists, opposition politicians, and activists. These revelations were shared with media outlets by Amnesty International and the Paris-based journalism non-profit, Forbidden Stories.

Developed by the Israeli cyber-arms and intelligence firm NSO Group Technologies, Pegasus was launched in August 2016. While NSO (Niv, Shalev and Omri) claims the spyware is exclusively used by governments and law enforcement for rescue operations and combating crime or terrorism, its misuse for surveillance has raised global concerns. Once deployed on a device, Pegasus can turn a phone into a surveillance tool, accessing text messages, calls, photos, and videos, as well as activating the camera, microphone, and location services—all without the owner’s knowledge.

In October 2023, Indian authorities conducted raids targeting dozens of reporters, including Prabir Purkayastha, editor of the critical and independent news platform NewsClick. Many reporters affiliated with NewsClick had their devices confiscated, and their homes searched. This further intensified concerns about the shrinking space for independent journalism in the country.

Also See: October 7th Hamas Attack on Israel – Just or Unjust War?

Israel’s Struggle with the Weaponization of Narratives

Israel, as the only Jewish state in the region, finds itself outnumbered in the geopolitical landscape, with powerful media outlets like Al Jazeera and Turkish Radio Television (TRT) championing the Palestinian cause, Azar noted.

In contrast, Israel’s focus has largely been on hard power—military might—leaving its soft power strategies underdeveloped. Azar suggests that Israel can learn from India, which has skillfully balanced both hard and soft power to assert its narrative on the world stage.

Azar’s comments suggest that Israel is now eager to replicate India’s methods, particularly in the weaponization of narratives. The Israeli government seeks to harness digital platforms, media influence, and its diaspora to shape international perceptions, portraying its actions in Palestine as self-defence rather than occupation. Like India, Israel hopes to leverage its global relationships and economic initiatives to deflect criticism and position itself as a victim of terrorism rather than an aggressor.

Gaza Ceasefire and Regional Dynamics

In addition, Azar hinted at progress in hostage negotiations, reiterating Israel’s focus on dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities and ensuring it cannot rearm. He emphasized the need for a “new order” in Gaza, rejecting any scenario where Hamas regains control in exchange for hostages.

While India and others advocate for a two-state solution, Israel’s Knesset recently rejected Palestinian statehood. Azar defended this stance, arguing that full sovereignty for Palestinians is unfeasible due to Hamas’ actions, adding, “We must be realistic unless a new generation emerges with different values.”

On regional dynamics, Azar pointed to Iran’s declining influence, after the weakening of its three tentacles (Hezbollah, Hamas and Assad), shifting NATO-Russia power in the Mediterranean, and the destabilizing role of Turkey-backed extremist groups in Syria.

India’s Double-Dealing in Gaza

India’s approach to the ongoing Gaza conflict reflects a pattern of double-dealing in its foreign policy. While it publicly calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and supports Palestine’s two-state solution, it simultaneously tries to placate Israel.

Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, noted India’s support for Israel’s “core national interests” but pointed out significant contradictions in its actions. For instance, India has maintained financial aid to UNRWA, an agency banned by Israel, and has voted in favor of 10 out of 13 UNGA resolutions critical of Israel’s actions in Palestine, abstaining on only three. These moves stand in stark contrast to its vocal alignment with Israel on issues of counterterrorism.

“I’m not in the business of giving grades to our friends. I think that when it comes to our core national interests, India has been pretty cooperative. However, we would like to see countries, including India, altering their voting patterns at the UN. I’ve communicated to our Indian friends that their support to UNRWA should be diverted to alternative channels. This is a conversation we’re having, and it will continue,” Azar said, underscoring the inconsistency in India’s stance.

In 2023, India released $5 million to UNRWA, while simultaneously asserting its strategic ties with Israel. Such actions reveal a dual approach, aiming to placate both Israel and Palestine while avoiding a definitive stance.

What Brings India Close to Israel

India and Israel share a deep and multifaceted partnership rooted in defense, technology, and cultural exchanges. India is a major buyer of Israeli arms, accounting for nearly 40% of Israel’s arms exports. Beyond defense, Israel plays a key role in India’s agricultural and water management sectors and fosters innovation through collaborations in the start-up ecosystem. Tens of thousands of young Israelis visit India annually after military service, further strengthening cultural ties. Public opinion polls consistently show high mutual approval ratings between the two nations.

Historical Foundations

India’s relationship with Israel began with subtle exchanges, despite early hesitations. The first correspondence between Jawaharlal Nehru and Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion took place in 1962 when Nehru sought assistance during the war with China. Although Ben-Gurion empathized with India’s situation, he declined to provide aid under the condition that shipments be without the Israeli flag. However, when India later accepted aid with the Israeli flag, it marked the beginning of a gradual but important strategic engagement.

The relationship deepened during the 1971 war when Israel, despite facing its own arms shortages, sent military aid to India, including re-routed shipments originally destined for Iran. This demonstrated Israel’s willingness to support India, even when it meant going against other international alignments.

In January 1992, India formally established diplomatic relations with Israel, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy. This change came after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, which shifted regional dynamics and prompted India to explore new alliances. With the fall of the Soviet Union, India embraced a more liberalized economy, fostering ties with Israel as part of this broader realignment.

Kargil War and Strategic Cooperation: Post-1990s Growth

India’s call for assistance during the Kargil conflict in 1999 highlighted the growing strategic partnership.

Despite an international arms embargo, Israel, under pressure from the US, provided crucial military supplies to India, including mortars, ammunition, and satellite intelligence. This incident was pivotal in cementing the defense cooperation between the two nations.

In the years that followed, India continued to deepen its relationship with Israel. The 2000 visit by Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh and a defense deal for the Barak-1 missile system marked the start of formal defense collaborations. The agreement included technology transfer, allowing India to produce these advanced systems domestically.

Modi’s Leadership and Strengthening Ties

When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, he took a personal approach to strengthening ties with Israel. Modi’s 2017 visit to Israel marked the first time an Indian prime minister had visited Israel. This visit symbolized a closer strategic partnership, and Modi’s camaraderie with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was evident.

India’s consistent support for Israel at international forums, even while maintaining its stance on a two-state solution for Palestine, further illustrates the strong and evolving relationship between the two countries. This historical and strategic evolution has led to a close and mutually beneficial partnership, with significant cooperation in defense, technology, agriculture, and cultural exchange.

What’s more is the fact that under Prime Minister Modi, India has adeptly balanced its embrace of Israel with strengthening relations with Arab nations like the United Arab Emirate, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

This approach aligns with India’s economic aspirations, closer ties with the United States, and the Abraham Accords, which have encouraged regional cooperation. Initiatives like India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States (I2U2) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) reflect a shared vision of economic integration and stability in the region.

Furthermore, India’s G20 presidency in 2023 spotlighted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), aimed at creating a transformative ship-to-rail transit network. The corridor seeks to enhance trade efficiency, secure supply chains, reduce emissions, and enable regional economic cooperation. However, the ongoing conflict in West Asia has posed significant hurdles to its realization.

The Ethics of Soft Power

The robust partnership between India and Israel has extended beyond mere military and economic cooperation. As both nations have honed their use of “soft power” in international diplomacy, they have leveraged narratives to shape their global images and pursue national interests. This strategic control over public perception has not been without controversy.

Soft power is not inherently unethical, but its use to conceal systemic oppression undermines its credibility. For Israel, as it faces international condemnation for its military actions in Gaza, investing in narrative warfare without addressing the root causes of the Palestinian conflict will only exacerbate tensions. Similarly, India’s success in narrative control does not absolve it of the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir.

As Israel continues its military offensive in Gaza and the international community calls for a ceasefire, the question remains: will Israel’s engagement with soft power lead to genuine progress, or will it simply be a polished shield to protect its policies from scrutiny? Similarly, India’s narrative-building, particularly in Kashmir, raises concerns about the long-term effectiveness of controlling the narrative without addressing deeper issues of humanitarian crisis and conflict resolution. The answer lies not in the narratives it crafts, but in the actions it takes to resolve the root causes of the conflict.

SAT Editorial Desk

Your go-to editorial hub for policy perspectives and informed analysis on pressing regional and global issues.

South Asia Times

Weaponization of Narratives: The India-Israel Playbook