India tried to project strength but ended up showing weakness

How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.

Introduction:

The news topic “India tried to project strength but ended up showing weakness” has drawn international attention, with various media outlets providing diverse insights, historical context, political stances, and on-the-ground developments. Below is a curated overview of how different countries and media organizations have covered this topic recently.

Quick Summary:

• On May 10, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ‘full and immediate’ ceasefire between India and Pakistan brokered by his administration. The announcement of the ceasefire was received across the world with a sigh of relief. In India, however, Trump’s announcement was seen differently in some quarters. The ceasefire announcement by the US president appears to have been perceived by some in India as a sign of the Modi government’s retreat under US pressure. His offer to mediate on Kashmir is being seen as an indication that India’s longstanding rejection of third-party intervention is being undermined. In South Asian geopolitics, perception often outpaces reality – until reality bites. India has long projected regional dioramas, but the reality is much more complex and complex. It is important to keep in mind that India has a long way to go before it can be considered a major player in the region.
• The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours began following the April 22 attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. There were reports from both sides that the ceasefire had been violated; however, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to adhere to the truce. Here, Dawn.com looks at some of the reporting and analysis from across the globe on ceasefire, and what comes after it. If this ceasefire holds, then coming weeks will see a new battle: of narratives, writes The Guardian’s Jason Burke in an analysis for the paper. He adds that Washington’s influence appears to have been key in bringing about de-escalation. This will not please Russia and China, both manoeuvring for greater influence in the region, even if the reported involvement of Turkey and Saudi Arabia is reported.
• Pakistan and India fired missiles at each other’s airbases in the latest escalation between the neighbours. Pakistan accused India of carrying out attacks inside its territory for the fourth consecutive night, launching ballistic missile strikes on at least three air bases. Islamabad said that in response, it launched a major military campaign, “Operation Bunyan Marsoos’ (Arabic for “a structure made of lead”) targeting at least six Indian military bases. India, in turn, accused Pakistan of being the aggressor. Never have the South Asian rivals attacked each other on this scale outside the four wars they have fought. The very fact that India and Pakistan had struck each other’s military bases over such a wide swath of territory, well beyond Kashmir, means that the conflict has now veered into almost unknown territory.

Country-by-Country Breakdown:

Original Coverage

On May 10, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ‘full and immediate’ ceasefire between India and Pakistan brokered by his administration. The announcement of the ceasefire was received across the world with a sigh of relief. In India, however, Trump’s announcement was seen differently in some quarters. The ceasefire announcement by the US president appears to have been perceived by some in India as a sign of the Modi government’s retreat under US pressure. His offer to mediate on Kashmir is being seen as an indication that India’s longstanding rejection of third-party intervention is being undermined. In South Asian geopolitics, perception often outpaces reality – until reality bites. India has long projected regional dioramas, but the reality is much more complex and complex. It is important to keep in mind that India has a long way to go before it can be considered a major player in the region. Read full article

What international media had to say about Pakistan-India ceasefire

The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours began following the April 22 attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. There were reports from both sides that the ceasefire had been violated; however, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to adhere to the truce. Here, Dawn.com looks at some of the reporting and analysis from across the globe on ceasefire, and what comes after it. If this ceasefire holds, then coming weeks will see a new battle: of narratives, writes The Guardian’s Jason Burke in an analysis for the paper. He adds that Washington’s influence appears to have been key in bringing about de-escalation. This will not please Russia and China, both manoeuvring for greater influence in the region, even if the reported involvement of Turkey and Saudi Arabia is reported. Read full article

Pakistan launches Operation Bunyan Marsoos: What we know so far

Pakistan and India fired missiles at each other’s airbases in the latest escalation between the neighbours. Pakistan accused India of carrying out attacks inside its territory for the fourth consecutive night, launching ballistic missile strikes on at least three air bases. Islamabad said that in response, it launched a major military campaign, “Operation Bunyan Marsoos’ (Arabic for “a structure made of lead”) targeting at least six Indian military bases. India, in turn, accused Pakistan of being the aggressor. Never have the South Asian rivals attacked each other on this scale outside the four wars they have fought. The very fact that India and Pakistan had struck each other’s military bases over such a wide swath of territory, well beyond Kashmir, means that the conflict has now veered into almost unknown territory. Read full article

‘Don’t see a major war with India, but have to be ready’: Pakistan ex-NSA

The nuclear-armed neighbours have each announced a series of tit-for-tat steps against the other since the attack on April 22. India has implicitly blamed Pakistan for the attack, even as Islamabad has denied any role in the killings. Pakistan has threatened to walk away from the 1972 Simla Agreement that committed both nations to recognising a previous ceasefire line. Both nations have also expelled each other’s citizens and scaled back their diplomatic missions. The current escalation is the most serious since 2019, when India launched air strikes on Pakistani soil following an attack on Indian soldiers in Pulwama, in Indian-administered Kashmir, that killed 40 troops. The region is now on edge, amid growing expectations that India might launch a military operation against Pakistan this time too. The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, urging both sides to find a path to de-escalation. Read full article

Project Force: Is India a military superpower or a Paper Tiger?

After decades of under-investment, India’s military forces have been in decline. But it isn’t all bad news for the country. India has launched a crash programme designed to address these failings and to play to the several strengths its military does possess. The Ladakh region is sandwiched between the Karakoram mountain range in the north and the Zanskar range to the south. Pakistan forms its western border and China is to its east. Despite the arid and rugged terrain, it has been part of the Silk Route for centuries and has been fought over at various times by the Persians, Tibetans and Russians. India, China and Pakistan all have vested economic and strategic interests in this important region. Ladakh also borders Indian-administered Kashmir, with both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh having become formal parts of India in 2019. Read full article

Global Perspectives Summary:

Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.

How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.

Sources:

• Original Article
• What international media had to say about Pakistan-India ceasefire
• Pakistan launches Operation Bunyan Marsoos: What we know so far
• ‘Don’t see a major war with India, but have to be ready’: Pakistan ex-NSA
• Project Force: Is India a military superpower or a Paper Tiger?

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/5/11/india-tried-to-project-strength-but-ended-up-showing-weakness