Wars are no longer confined to borders or battlefields. In today&rsquo;s global reality, covert tools such as espionage, sabotage, and subversion have evolved into powerful mechanisms of proxy warfare, particularly in the post-Cold War era. Instead of full-scale invasions, terrorists and militants are now infiltrating across borders to destabilise adversaries&mdash;economically, strategically, and psychologically.
The Afghan "Jihad" against the Soviet Union was an early example, which overburdened the USSR and coincided with the Information Technology revolution in 1991. This digital transformation birthed the age of information warfare, where influence operations became the new battleground. By manipulating public perception using social media, disinformation, and cyber tools, nations now aim to undermine their rivals without ever deploying troops.
India has been a target of such influence campaigns, especially from the China-Pakistan axis. From discrediting India's image globally to spreading misleading battlefield narratives, adversaries use state-controlled media and digital platforms to fuel propaganda. China has even been accused of interfering in U.S. elections, allegedly producing counterfeit documents to support electoral manipulation.
The concept of "influence warfare" came into sharper focus during the recent India-Pakistan military standoff. While India neutralised multiple terror bases, Chinese media echoed Pakistani claims, including false reports about the destruction of Indian missile sites&mdash;none of which were verified.
Recognising the threat, India dispatched multi-party diplomatic teams to 32 capitals, countering misinformation and exposing Pakistan&rsquo;s role in terrorism. The effort reflected a shift in strategy&mdash;battling misinformation with diplomacy and facts.
This indirect warfare&mdash;waged online, in the media, and on global platforms&mdash;requires not just strong intelligence, but coordinated diplomatic responses. India must remain vigilant, combat narrative manipulation, and enhance its cyber and psychological defence mechanisms to safeguard its national interests.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
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From covert ops to cyber influence, how wars are being fought without firing a bullet

The Third Eye: New shades of 'proxy war'

From covert ops to cyber influence, how wars are being fought without firing a bullet

June 29, 2025 | 16:46 IST