The Perils of Policing Expression in a Connected World

Why India Toils for Perception Battles in Foreign Capitals

By MANISH ANAND

NEW DELHI, May 20, 2025 – Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri exemplified professional dignity by declining a proposal from parliamentarians to pass a resolution condemning personal attacks against him by social media trolls. The recent arrest of an Ashoka University professor for a social media comment has triggered widespread outrage, evident across online platforms.

On Monday evening, Misri briefed 24 Members of Parliament from various parties, earning their unanimous praise. “All the MPs wanted to adopt a resolution against the personal attacks on the Foreign Secretary, but he declined,” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor told reporters. The barrage of abuse targeting Misri on social media forced him to privatize his account. Trolls also targeted his family, crossing ethical boundaries.

It remains unclear whether authorities have arrested those responsible for the online harassment or if social media platforms have faced “legal demands” to address the abusers’ accounts. Despite the vitriol, Misri carried out his duties with poise, briefing MPs on Operation Sindoor as they prepare for international visits to advocate India’s stance against terrorism.

In an interconnected world where news from Rwanda reaches Ranchi in seconds, it’s surprising that the ruling dispensation’s communication strategists seem unaware of the global attention drawn by the arrest of Ali Khan Mahmudabad. Similarly, the Supreme Court’s formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah, following his controversial remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack and Col. Sofia Qureshi, has gone viral, sparking international interest.

Shashi Tharoor, a former UN official and social media influencer, commands a global audience on issues beyond Pakistan’s export of terrorism. His international stature contrasts with the historical tendency of global media to amplify Pakistan’s narrative on conflicts with India, often through journalists of Pakistani descent.

The need for Indian MPs to travel abroad to promote India’s perspective raises questions about the effectiveness of its global communication strategy. The coverage they secure in foreign media will be closely scrutinized. Understanding the anti-India bias in international outlets is key to recognizing why perception often overshadows even the most compelling arguments.

(This is an opinion piece; views expressed solely belong to the author)

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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