From Damage Control to Denial: A Familiar Pattern
As scrutiny intensifies after the Sydney attack, a familiar pattern has emerged from New Delhi: swift denial, defensive messaging, and an attempt to reframe the narrative rather than confront uncomfortable questions.
Instead of allowing transparent investigations to run their course, sections of India’s political and media ecosystem appear more focused on image management than introspection. This reflex to deflect responsibility has not only weakened credibility abroad but has also deepened doubts within international audiences already wary of selective storytelling.
Selective Outrage and the Cost of Media Spin
The episode once again exposes a deeper issue as India’s struggle to reconcile its global ambitions with consistent standards of accountability. While Indian media is often quick to amplify allegations against Pakistan, it shows remarkable restraint when scrutiny turns inward.
Such asymmetry erodes trust and reinforces perceptions of double standards. In an interconnected world where narratives travel faster than diplomacy, dismissing legitimate concerns as propaganda may offer short-term relief, but it risks long-term damage to India’s standing and soft power on the global stage.
