About the Paper
The next war may not begin with missiles, aircraft or artillery. It may begin with a message on a smartphone.
Warfare is moving beyond the physical battlefield into the human mind—where perceptions can be shaped, beliefs manipulated, emotions triggered and decisions influenced without a shot being fired. Social media, artificial intelligence, algorithms, deepfakes and ubiquitous connectivity have created a battlespace of unprecedented scale, speed and reach.
This paper traces the evolution from information and psychological warfare to the emerging contest for “Mind Space” and examines how social media is being weaponised to influence societies and national will. Drawing upon historical experience and contemporary developments, it highlights India’s growing vulnerability and the urgent need to understand, anticipate and counter threats in the cognitive domain.
The battle for the mind has already begun. The question is whether India is prepared to fight it!!
