Context :
- India’s decision to send diplomatic delegations to explain its stance on the conflict with Pakistan reflects proactive diplomacy.
- It signals strategic intent to shape international perception and assert moral legitimacy.
- Raises a key dilemma: Is this a show of strength or a reassurance amid vulnerability?
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Global Performance of Legitimacy
- In today’s media-saturated world, actions must be explained, justified, and performed for international approval.
- India wants to emphasize that its actions target non-state actors, not escalate a historical rivalry.
- This is aimed at presenting India as a rational, responsible actor in the global arena.
Narrative Control vs. Legitimacy Deficit
- The very need for international explanation reveals a narrative crisis .
- Suggests that international trust cannot be assumed; it must be constantly earned and performed.
- Legitimacy today is fragile and subject to emotional and media manipulation.
Crisis of Credibility in the Information Age
- Misinformation spreads faster than official narratives — old videos, fake footage, and AI-generated content create confused realities.
- Social media users on both sides actively shape and share falsehoods, turning war into digital spectacle.
- Reflects Jean Baudrillard’s concept of simulation — reality displaced by mediated representations.
Collapse of Verifiable News
- The public no longer seeks verifiable truth; instead, they embrace emotionally affirming narratives.
- This creates a philosophical crisis — shared facts no longer exist, making meaningful debate impossible.
- Truth becomes subjective, and the distinction between fact and illusion blurs.
Battle for the Grounds of Persuasion
- India’s diplomatic campaign isn’t just about facts — it’s about restoring the conditions for facts to matter.
- Without a shared reality, persuasion loses its meaning, and authenticity becomes irrelevant.
- The campaign becomes a fight to maintain the idea of a truthful, communicable nation.
Key Takeaway
- The real question is not whether India can justify its actions, but whether the global audience is still capable of recognizing truth.
- Losing that ability leads to disorientation, not just disagreement — and undermines the very foundation of diplomacy and authenticity.
