On Wednesday morning, the Indian Navy posted a picture of two warships flanking a support vessel somewhere in the high seas. The post on X accompanying the picture said, “Fuelling the Maritime Might – No mission too distant, No Sea too vast.” It was a post that hinted more than what it said openly.
Four days earlier, the Navy had posted another picture showing four warships sailing together at sea, captioned: “Power in unity; Presence With Purpose.” These pictures and the message they convey come at a time of heightened tensions with Pakistan. That country, in turn, is sending messages that alternate between bravado and panic, including a post-midnight conference by its information and broadcasting minister that many found incoherent.
Earlier on Tuesday, a Pakistani general shared a “message exchange” between an alleged “Indian terrorist” and his local contact. This was offered as proof of India’s terrorist network in that country.
Commentators on social media made fun of the presentation and wondered whether it was an exchange between a terrorist and his contact or between a customer and a food delivery person who were exchanging notes on where a food parcel was to be delivered.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy’s pictures conveyed calm and resolve. There was no mirth about them.
PM Modi's message
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a key security review meeting after the Pahalgam attack, granted the armed forces full operational freedom to decide the mode, targets, and timing of response, according to media reports.
He emphasised the national resolve to deliver a decisive blow to terrorism. The meeting included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and CDS General Anil Chauhan. Earlier, Singh briefed Modi on military preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir following the attack. On 22 April, twenty-five tourists and a Kashmiri local were killed at Baisaran meadow, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir since Article 370’s revocation.
