INDIA AS AGENT OF CHAOS: PURSUITS OF ROXY WARS, DISINFORMATIONAND MILITARY ADVENTURES

India’s role as an agent of chaos has raised profound concerns about its
involvement in activities such as hybrid warfare, state-sponsored terrorism, and
strategic maneuvering. India has employed proxy warfare tactics to support terrorism
and disrupt the social stability and economic development of neighboring states. India’s
involvement in supporting belligerents and engaging in proxy wars during military
conflicts is not a recent phenomenon.
In fact, a recent report by “The Wire,” an Indian newspaper, reveals that the Russian
Moscow center has recruited a significant number of Indian nationals, around 100,
as “helpers.”. Upon their arrival in Moscow, the Indians were purportedly trained by
the Russian Army in handling firearms and ammunition before being deployed to
the frontlines in the preceding month. Under the terms of the contract, the individuals
recruited as fighters are obligated to serve for a minimum period of one year, during which
no leave or resignation is permitted until at least six months have elapsed.
The incident involving a 22-year-old youth from Telangana and three others from
Karnataka’s Kalaburagi highlights the role of Indian recruitment agents in
exploiting individuals for their own interests. In a distressing video message sent
to his family, Mohammed Sufiyan, dressed in army uniform, pleaded for help,
revealing that they were being forced to fight in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine
against their will. This incident serves as an example of how, under the leadership of
the Indian government, particularly during the Modi administration, the pursuit of
self-interest often takes precedence over the well-being and rights of its citizens,
who can become victims of sophisticated fraud and manipulation.
In addition to this, another unfortunate incident occurred involving a 23-year-old Indian
named Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya. He was reportedly employed as a security
helper by the Russian army and tragically lost his life in a Ukrainian drone strike
near the Russia-Ukraine border in the Donetsk region. Hailing from Gujarat state,
Hemil’s untimely demise further underscores the risks faced by individuals who find
themselves entangled in conflicts as a result of exploitative recruitment practices.
Currently, a group of approximately 18 Indian nationals find themselves stranded in
various towns spanning the entire battlefront. In response to growing public scrutiny and
escalating political pressure, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has been
compelled to seek support from Russian authorities to secure the rescue of these
individuals who were forcibly conscripted into the conflict. The Indian Foreign
Ministry has acknowledged its knowledge of the recruitment of Indian nationals by
Russian authorities.
Moreover, India has a striking history of supporting belligerents militarily throughput its
history. In Sri Lankan civil war, where India has aided the Tamil Tigers, a militant
group fighting for an independent Tamil state. India provided weapons, training, and
logistical support to the Tigers, helping them sustain their insurgency against the Sri
Lankan government. Additionally, India has been assisting the Tigers with intelligence
sharing, which enabled them to carry out attacks more effectively. This shows India’s role
in prolonging the conflict and undermining efforts for peaceful resolution.
India’s active participation in proxy wars for vested interest is well-documented, and its
involvement in the Yemeni civil war exemplifies this approach. India has been providing
arms, including artillery guns and small arms, to the Saudi-led coalition involved
in military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This arms supply has sparked
concerns about India indirectly supporting the coalition’s military campaign, which has
contributed to a dire humanitarian crisis and inflicted significant civilian casualties. Such
actions underline India’s pursuit of its own interests, often at the expense of stability and
human welfare.
In recent times, India’s aggressive stance came under scrutiny when the Canadian
Prime Minister made pointed remarks, referring to India as a terrorist state
implicated in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. It shed
light on India’s involvement in covert operations and raised concerns about its conduct as
a nation.
Furthermore, India’s support for terrorist entities within Pakistani territories,
exemplified by cases like Kulbhushan Jadhav, engaging in espionage and terrorist
activities on its soil. Moreover, revelation by the Brussels-based EU DisinfoLab has
brought to light an extensive network of 265 fake local media outlets operating across 65
countries, serving the interests of India. This network, along with various questionable
think tanks and NGOs, has been exposed in an investigation called “Indian Chronicles.”
Additionally, India’s close ties with Israel, particularly in terms of supporting military
conflicts or proxy wars and engaging in defense exports, have been viewed as
contributing to regional tensions, instability and chaos. As per reports by India today,
on October 20, 2023; at least 400 Indians are fighting on the front lines with the
Israeli military.
In a nutshell, India’s engagement in hybrid warfare, state-sponsored terrorism, and
strategic maneuvering is causing apprehension due to its destabilizing impact. By
supporting proxy wars and disseminating divisive narratives through fabricated media
platforms, India has prioritized its own interests at the expense of stability at home and
abroad. The recruitment of mercenaries and development of assassin’s underline
India’s aggressive aspirations, emphasizing the need for the international
community to address its propensity for violence before it escalates further.