This is the second (and last) part of the article delves into China’s strategic patience, training methodologies, and information warfare. It broadly examines how Beijing is positioning itself for long-term dominance while controlling global perceptions

Cautious Approach and Strategic Patience

The evolving security landscape, characterized by the rising tide of disinformation operations, rapid technological advancements, and the persistent spectre of chemical weapons use, presents an unprecedented challenge to international peace and security. The deliberate weaponization of falsehoods—exacerbated by the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI)—has emerged as a formidable instrument of geopolitical warfare.

India's foray into Antarctic geopolitics began in 1955–56 with “The Antarctic Question,” marking the country's official intervention under then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. As historian Sarvepalli Gopal observed, Nehru’s geopolitical vision was rooted in advocating world peace and fostering solidarity among post-colonial nations, positioning India as a diplomatic force on global platforms traditionally dominated by Western powers.

In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of an architect called Daedalus. They wanted to escape from the island of Crete since the king had imprisoned them for sharing their secrets. Daedalus had constructed wings from birds’ moulted feathers and some other materials. He had used the beeswax for the ‘construction’ of the wings. Daedalus had warned his son that he should not fly too high. But Icarus became overambitious and flew too close to the Sun. The heat melted the wax in his wings, and he drowned in the sea.

The India-Russia relationship has entered a new phase, marked by intensified bilateral engagements over the past six months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow twice this year, in July and October, to strengthen ties with Russia, a steadfast ally. Most recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s three-day visit to Moscow (December 8–10, 2024) signaled a new chapter in the India-Russia defence partnership.

In the 1850s, upon receiving the first telegraph messages, the flummoxed British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston, famously exclaimed, "My God, this is the end of diplomacy!" His reaction reflected the skepticism and surprise that often accompany shifts in public diplomacy. As technology continues to evolve, it increasingly overshadows traditional forms of diplomacy, which are now often viewed as relics of the past.