India’s propaganda campaigns continue to evolve and persist, weaving a web of disinformation that extends beyond Pakistan to include neighboring nations such as Nepal and Bangladesh. Revisiting the 2020 Indian Chronicles report by EU DisinfoLab offers a critical lens into these enduring efforts. The revelations from this investigation highlighted the alarming scale and sophistication of Indian disinformation operations, which were designed to discredit Pakistan and manipulate international narratives. Four years later, the tactics remain relevant, raising pressing questions about accountability and the growing influence of propaganda in global geopolitics.
Prof. Louis B. Sohn: The Stolen Legacy
One of the most egregious examples of the Srivastava Group’s disinformation tactics was its posthumous exploitation of Prof. Louis B. Sohn, a Harvard Law School scholar and one of the founding figures of international human rights law. Despite his passing in 2006, Prof. Sohn’s name was co-opted to lend credibility to anti-Pakistan narratives orchestrated by SG.
The Commission to Study the Organization of Peace (CSOP), a defunct NGO once chaired by Prof. Sohn, was resurrected to operate as a facade for SG’s agenda. Documents falsely bearing Prof. Sohn’s name were presented at United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions, creating a veneer of legitimacy for baseless accusations against Pakistan. “The misuse of Prof. Sohn’s name epitomizes the ethical void at the core of this disinformation network,” noted the Indian Chronicles report.
A Network Unparalleled in Scale
The Srivastava Group’s operation, exposed in 2020, remains one of the largest and most sophisticated disinformation networks ever uncovered. Spanning 116 countries, it involved more than 750 fake media outlets and leveraged defunct NGOs to disseminate anti-Pakistan propaganda. Asian News International (ANI), India’s largest wire service, was a central pillar of this network, amplifying content that was then picked up by mainstream Indian media and over 500 fake websites worldwide.
“This is the largest and most sophisticated disinformation network we have ever uncovered,” said Alexandre Alaphilippe, executive director of EU DisinfoLab. “Its scale and resilience reflect a level of coordination and investment rarely seen.”
The network’s activities extended to manipulating international platforms, particularly the UNHRC, where NGOs linked to SG frequently secured speaking slots. These organizations presented anti-Pakistan rhetoric under the guise of promoting human rights, bypassing scrutiny by exploiting the credibility of the UN.
Expanding the Reach Beyond Pakistan
While Pakistan has been the primary target of Indian propaganda, recent years have seen an expansion of these efforts to other South Asian nations. Nepal, a Hindu-majority country, has faced campaigns aimed at influencing its internal politics and diplomatic relationships, particularly with China. Bangladesh, a secular state, has been targeted with narratives questioning its sovereignty and political stability. These developments reflect India’s broader strategy of asserting regional dominance through information manipulation.
India’s Media: A Weaponized Ecosystem
India’s domestic media landscape has increasingly become a vehicle for state-aligned propaganda. Once regarded as a bastion of journalistic integrity, many Indian media outlets now amplify disinformation originating from networks like ANI. This erosion of independent reporting makes it challenging for audiences to differentiate between credible journalism and fabricated narratives.
The Indian Chronicles revealed how ANI republished op-eds from fake outlets such as EU Chronicle and EP Today. These articles, often critical of Pakistan and China, were systematically amplified across SG’s network of fake media sites. “ANI’s involvement lent the operation both legitimacy and an extensive reach,” explained Alaphilippe. “This underscores the difficulty of countering disinformation when legitimate outlets are weaponized.”
The IMF Warning: A Systemic Issue
In a 2023 report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified India as the world’s leading producer of disinformation and misinformation. While this ranking does not directly implicate the Srivastava Group, it underscores systemic issues within India’s information ecosystem. The scale at which disinformation is produced and disseminated demands greater scrutiny and accountability.
Historical Context: A Legacy of Misinformation
The rivalry between India and Pakistan, rooted in the 1947 partition, has long extended beyond military confrontations into battles over narrative control. With the rise of digital platforms, this competition has intensified, as both nations seek to shape international perceptions on issues like Kashmir and cross-border terrorism. The Indian Chronicles was emblematic of how modern propaganda campaigns can influence global opinion.
Launched in 2005, SG’s operation coincided with the formation of the UNHRC. By infiltrating international institutions, SG sought to discredit Pakistan’s human rights record and elevate India’s standing. The manipulation of these platforms ensured that India’s narrative often went unchallenged, to the detriment of its neighbors.
The Tools of Disinformation: Advanced Tactics
The Srivastava Group employed a multi-pronged approach that combined traditional lobbying with advanced digital tools. NGOs like CSOP were resurrected to provide a semblance of legitimacy to SG’s disinformation efforts. In Brussels, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were courted with trips and exclusive publication opportunities. While some, like Thierry Mariani of France’s far-right National Rally, openly supported India’s narratives, others denied their involvement, raising concerns about the authenticity of the attributed contributions.
SG’s digital arm was equally sophisticated. Aglaya, a tech firm linked to the group, marketed tools for “information warfare,” including products ominously described as “Cyber Nukes.” These tools were designed to manipulate perceptions at a global scale, showcasing the intersection of technology and propaganda.
Muted International Responses
Despite the revelations in 2020, the international response to the Indian Chronicles has been muted. While disinformation campaigns linked to countries like Russia or China often provoke significant backlash, India’s efforts have largely escaped comparable scrutiny. Gary Machado, managing director of EU DisinfoLab, emphasized the consequences of inaction: “The lack of accountability emboldens networks like this. Passivity signals that these operations can continue unchecked.”
A Call for Accountability and Reform
The Indian Chronicles report provides a roadmap for combating disinformation. Key recommendations include enhancing transparency within international institutions, fostering media literacy, and holding perpetrators accountable. Without these measures, researchers warn that similar operations could reemerge with even greater sophistication.
“If these tactics resurface in the future, it will represent a systemic failure,” Alaphilippe cautioned. “The integrity of global discourse depends on decisive action.”
The Ongoing Threat of Disinformation
India’s propaganda machine continues to grow, adapting its tactics to new platforms and audiences. As the IMF’s recent ranking indicates, the problem is not confined to isolated incidents but reflects a systemic issue within the nation’s information ecosystem. Revisiting the Indian Chronicles serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved in the fight against propaganda.
In an era where truth is increasingly contested, safeguarding the integrity of public discourse has never been more critical. By addressing the lessons of the past and implementing robust safeguards, the international community can build resilience against the growing threat of disinformation.
This report draws upon findings from EU DisinfoLab’s investigation and incorporates reporting by Abid Hussain and Shruti Menon of BBC Reality Check and BBC Urdu.
©Team Informer 365