Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has emphasized the critical role of narrative management in modern warfare, stating that "victory is in the mind". Speaking at an event at IIT Madras on August 4, 2025, Gen. Dwivedi highlighted the importance of shaping perceptions among domestic, adversary, and neutral populations. He made these remarks while referring to Operation Sindoor, India's military action against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in May 2025, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Gen. Dwivedi likened Operation Sindoor to a game of chess, where the enemy's next move was uncertain, describing it as a "grey zone" mission. He noted that India secured a decisive victory despite the risks, but also criticized Pakistan's attempts to portray itself as the victor through strategic narrative management. He pointed to the Pakistani government's decision to elevate its Army chief, Asim Munir, to the rank of five-star general and field marshal as an example of this. Gen. Dwivedi said that if you ask a Pakistani whether they lost or won, they would likely say they won because their chief became a field marshal, illustrating how narratives can shape public perception.
To counter Pakistan's narrative, the Indian forces strategically used social media and other platforms to convey their message to the masses. Gen. Dwivedi highlighted the importance of strategic messaging, noting that the first message India conveyed was "justice done," which received significant global attention. He also mentioned the creation of a logo by a Lieutenant Colonel and a non-commissioned officer, which was widely circulated as part of these efforts.
The Army Chief emphasized that narrative shaping is no longer secondary to battlefield success but is an integral part of the operation's architecture from the outset. He described a "narrative management system" that tracks social sentiment, counters disinformation, and uses trusted voices to reinforce the official account.
Gen. Dwivedi also spoke about the political clarity and resolve that drove Operation Sindoor. He noted that the government gave the Army a "free hand" to execute the operation after the Pahalgam attack, demonstrating the confidence and clear direction that boosted the morale of the forces. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also credited the central government's "political will" for the operation's success.
Operation Sindoor involved precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure and camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian armed forces used a combination of air and missile strikes to hit specific targets, while maintaining that the strikes were focused, measured, and non-escalatory. While Pakistan responded with retaliatory drone and missile attacks, these were effectively neutralized by India's air defense systems. According to analysts, the operation demonstrated India's capacity for high-precision, coordinated military action, which successfully dismantled terrorist infrastructure and restored deterrence against state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
Gen. Dwivedi stressed that India's future security rests on a "whole-of-nation" approach, where soldiers, scientists, industry, academia, and citizens work together. He described how technology, civil preparedness, and public participation are as vital as military action. He also highlighted the importance of integrating intelligence from the Army, Navy, and Air Force to create a common operational view, using a mix of manned platforms, commercial satellite imagery, and high-altitude platforms to track activity.
