Dr Muhammad Khan
THE EU DisinfoLab, has done a tremendous job and a great service to entire humanity, once it unearthed the Indian media out-let whose operation, operated by Srivastava Group and amplified by ANI. The operation of this internationally spread network was going on ever since 2005 and it is still continuing after its exposure by the EU DisinfoLab. As stated by Alexandre Alaphilippe, the Executive Director of EU DisinfoLab, “It is the largest network we have exposed.” The EU DisinfoLab undertook extensive investigation and research work, spreading over years in order to reach over this worldly spread poisonous media out-let. According to EU DisinfoLab, the network was primarily aimed to “discredit Pakistan internationally” and influence decision-making at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and European Parliament. Alexandre Alaphilippe, further elaborated that, “Our open-source investigation shows that the operation led by the Srivastava Group and amplified by ANI began in 2005 and is still on-going at this date.” It all aims to discredit all those states which are in a conflicting state with India in Asian Continent. China and Pakistan have been the specific targets of this entire network.
Published with the name of Indian Chronicles, salient features of this network are; its operation is spread over 15 long-years, started in 2005 from European Continent. Included into this network are ten UN Human Rights Council accredited NGOs, which are mostly resurrected. Apart from resurrected NGOs, it also includes resurrection of prominent international personalities like Prof. Louis B. Sohn. The Professor (Prof. Louis B. Sohn) has been a prominent figure in human rights and died in 2006. For influencing the world, and in order to give credibility to this Indian network, the late professor’s name was used, which clearly indicates the criminal and callous mentality of Indian policy planners and its notorious spying network, RAW. So much so, several identity thefts, including the name of Martin Schulz, former president of the European Parliament and the photo of James Purnell, a former UK Government minister also used by this cunning and wicked Indian media outlet. Not one or a dozen media outlets were forming part of this widely spread Srivastava Group, but there were over 750 fake media outlets, covering more than 119 states of ; Europe, Africa, Asia and American continents with over 550 domain registered names.
The core of this Indian chronicles is that, the entire network was operating to prove that, India is a peaceful state and it should be globally accepted as major player against extremism and terrorism at global and regional level. In way, India wanted recognition for itself to be included in the club of major power to assume the major assignments at international level. In order to qualify for this international slot, India needed some excuse as base line to make its case; the cause and effect relationship needed in international relations. The shrewd Indian strategic planners could read the changing international environments, where United Sates was gradually turning against China; the rising super power of 21st century. Since Pakistan was instrumental to Chinese regional influence and international promotion, therefore the Srivastava Group primarily operated against Pakistan and China through its global media outlets. In doing so, India created and reinforced pro-Indian and anti-Pakistan and anti-China feelings all over the globe through Srivastava Group, amplified by ANI.
This entire exercise had three main Indian objectives; one, improving the Indian perception international as a soft power and a secular and democratic state. Two; the endorsement and consolidation of Indian relationship with European Union and United States, which were in their infancy until the start of 21st century. Three; directly influencing the international institutions and human rights organizations for their support to Indian narratives while creating hatred against Pakistan undermining its unpatrolled role against militancy and terrorism. In a way; for improving perception of India, this Indian media out-let damaged the international perception of Pakistan and some other Asian states. In last fifteen years, India indeed, got an international accreditation despite the facts that, it was instrumental to create an environment of bitterness, enmity and conflict at regional and global level.
As revealed in the Indian Chronicles, New Delhi undertook this international misleading operation while creating and funding of fake NGOs, think-tanks and minority support groups. India also approached to individual members of European Parliament “to create a mirage of institutional support from European institutions to these minority groups, in favour of Indian interests and against Pakistan (and China).” In order to implement this successful drama, India made active and constant presence of its sponsored groups at Geneva and the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. These well-funded planted groups organized side-events and demonstrations in the support of fake Indian narratives, targeting Pakistan on various accounts. These Indian funded fake NGOs and think-tanks had reserved speaking slots and seats in significant sessions of UN Human Rights Councils to dilute the impact of complaints against Indian human rights violation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and against the minority rights within India.
Amplified by ANI, the Indian media out-let; the Srivastava Group has been misleading the civilized international community for fifteen years unabated. Indeed, its planning started in 1990s, immediately after cold war and initial operation stared even before advent of 21st century. By 2005, the Srivastava Group was fully operational with its complete potentials. The operatives of this network have slowly and gradually penetrated into five major international domains; international media, the NGOs and MNCs; educational system of Europe and America, international financial institutions and government functionaries throughout the world. Starting from anti-Pakistan campaign and narratives, media out-let of Srivastava Group has assumed a status where it is threatening the global peace. Exposing this malicious media out-let was great and a daring step of EU DisinfoLab, nevertheless, its obliteration may take decades since it has penetrated into roots of contemporary international system.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
