The Indian Navy Throws a Hint Or Two

On Wednesday morning the Indian Navy tweeted a picture of two warships flanking a support vessel somewhere in the high seas. The post on X accompanying the picture said, "Fuelling the Maritime Might – No mission too distant, No Sea too vast." It was a 'naughty' post that hinted more than what it said openly.

Four days earlier, the Navy had posted another picture of four warships flanked together at sea and captioned it "Power in unity; Presence With Purpose."

These pictures and the message they convey come at a time of heightened tensions with Pakistan. That country, in turn, is sending messages that alternate between bravado and panic, replete with a post-midnight conference by its incoherent information and broadcasting minister. Earlier on Tuesday, a Pakistani general shared a "message exchange" between an alleged "Indian terrorist" and his local contact. This was offered as a "proof" of India's terrorist network in that country.

Commentators on social media made fun of the presentation and wondered whether it was an exchange between a terrorist and his contact or between a customer and a food delivery person who were exchanging notes on where a food parcel was to be delivered.

Needless to say, the Indian Navy's pictures conveyed calm and resolve. There was no mirth about them.