MEA Establishes Mechanism to Combat Anti-India Narratives in Foreign Media

The Ministry of External Affairs has established a new mechanism to monitor and counter anti-India narratives in foreign media, particularly targeting Bangladeshi news outlets and social media. This initiative is crucial for regions like Assam and the Northeast, where misinformation can quickly spread across borders. The XPD Division is actively involved in fact-checking and promoting positive narratives about India. Through collaboration with other government agencies, the MEA aims to effectively combat misinformation campaigns and ensure accurate representation of India in foreign media.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 20, 2026, 10:31 IST

Monitoring Anti-India Propaganda

Ministry of External Affairs (photo - Google)

New Delhi, Aug 20: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has initiated a system aimed at monitoring, analyzing, and countering anti-India narratives in international media, particularly focusing on Bangladeshi news outlets and various social media platforms.

Officials from the MEA revealed that the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy (XPD) Division has established this mechanism to fulfill its objectives.

This initiative is especially significant for Assam and the Northeast region, where misinformation can rapidly spread across the India-Bangladesh border via social media. Issues related to border incidents, migration, minority rights, ethnic tensions, trade, and regional security can quickly influence public opinion.

According to MEA representatives, "The Ministry of External Affairs continuously monitors and counters anti-India narratives in foreign media, including those from Bangladesh, as well as on social media platforms. The XPD Division has implemented a mechanism to achieve this goal," they informed a Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs.

They further stated, "The Division combats fake news and misleading narratives through its fact-checking unit and consistently promotes positive stories about India via the Ministry's social media channels, as well as those of its Missions and Posts abroad, along with other stakeholders."

The XPD Division is actively involved in collaborative efforts with other Central Government agencies to counter false narratives.

As part of its efforts, the Division regularly attends meetings of the Inter-Departmental Committees (IDCs), which were established under section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act. These meetings are led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to address disinformation and fake news across media platforms. The MIB-led IDC also includes representatives from the Ministries of Home, Defence, MeitY, and FICCI.

Officials noted that through the IDC, the Ministry has taken steps to counter anti-India misinformation campaigns prevalent in Bangladeshi media and social media accounts.