New Delhi: The Indian Army Central Command Strategic Communication Conclave was held for the first time in Lucknow, marking an important step in strengthening India’s national security communication strategy.
Organized by the Central Command of the Indian Army, the conclave brought together around 500 participants including military officers, diplomats, media experts and communication professionals.
The discussions focused on how strategic communication, perception management and information power are becoming crucial in modern warfare. The event highlighted the need for India to institutionalize strategic communication as a core national security capability in the emerging information and cognitive warfare era.
Details of Indian Army Central Command Strategic Communication Conclave
The Indian Army’s Central Command organised its first-ever Strategic Communication Conclave in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
The event saw participation from nearly 500 delegates, including:
- Senior military officials
- Government communication experts
- Diplomats and retired defence officers
- Media professionals
- Communication specialists from the private sector
The objective of the conclave was to discuss the role of strategic communication in India’s national security architecture, especially in the rapidly evolving information warfare environment.
The discussions included expert lectures, panel discussions and interactive sessions focused on how information, perception and narrative influence modern conflicts.
Modern Warfare Now Includes Information and Cognitive Domains
During the opening address, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Central Command, emphasized that warfare is no longer limited to land, sea and air.
He highlighted that modern conflicts now include information and cognitive domains, where narratives and perception play a decisive role.
According to him:
- Perception shapes legitimacy
- Legitimacy shapes influence
- Influence shapes outcomes
This means controlling information and narratives can significantly affect the outcome of conflicts even without direct military engagement.
He also warned that hostile actors increasingly use weaponised narratives and information manipulation to influence public opinion and undermine national security.
Strategic Communication Must Become Institutionalised
A major theme of the conclave was the need to institutionalise strategic communication.
Lt Gen Sengupta explained that communication cannot remain:
- reactive
- episodic
- personality-driven
Instead, it must become:
- doctrine-backed
- capability-driven
- institutionally structured
Experts at the conclave suggested that strategic communication should become a permanent capability within India’s defence and national security systems.
Expert Session on “Institutionalising Strategic Communication”
One of the major sessions of the conclave focused on the topic:
“Institutionalising Strategic Communication as a Capability for Future Preparedness in the Emerging Information Space.”
Prominent speakers included:
- Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj (Retd) – India’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations
- Ambassador Yashvardhan Sinha (Retd)
- Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd)
The experts discussed how countries must prepare their institutions to handle information warfare, strategic narratives and perception battles in the digital era.
They also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions, armed forces and communication experts.
Special Session on Multi-Domain Operations
Another interactive session focused on:
“Strategic Communication in Emerging Multi-Domain Operations: Strategies, Structures, Processes and Preparedness.”
This session discussed how modern warfare increasingly combines multiple domains such as:
- Military operations
- Cyber operations
- Information warfare
- Psychological operations
- Media influence
Retired civil and military officials shared insights during the session, including:
- Ambassador Dilip Sinha
- Dr Shantanu Mukharji
- Smt Veena Jain
- Lt Gen DP Pandey
They emphasized that communication strategies must align with operational strategies in modern conflicts.
Importance of Indian Army Central Command Strategic Communication Conclave
Two major panel discussions with media professionals focused on:
- “Shaping the Mind Space: Perception Management in the Strategic Domain”
- “Information Power and Strategic Communication”
Experts explained that the battle for narratives is becoming as important as the battle on the ground.
Effective strategic communication helps nations:
- counter misinformation
- protect national interests
- maintain public trust
- influence global opinion
In the digital age, information spreads rapidly across social media and global platforms, making communication strategy an essential part of national security.
Objective of the Strategic Communication Conclave
The conclave aimed to explore how strategic communication can be integrated into India’s national security framework.
The key objectives included:
- examining strategic communication as a national capability
- strengthening doctrine and structures for information warfare
- improving preparedness for emerging information space challenges
- developing coordinated communication strategies between military, government and media
The discussions are expected to contribute to policy development, doctrine formation and institutional mechanisms in India’s defence communication ecosystem.
Why Does India Need Indian Army Central Command Strategic Communication Conclave
The conclave reflects a broader global trend where information warfare and narrative influence are central to geopolitics.
Countries increasingly face challenges such as:
- Misinformation campaigns
- Psychological operations
- Digital propaganda
- Hybrid warfare
For India, strengthening strategic communication will help protect national narratives, public trust and democratic stability.
The Indian Army’s initiative shows growing recognition that information power is now a key component of national defence.
