The CLAWS–CyberPeace Round Table Conference brought together experts, policymakers, practitioners, researchers and stakeholders from across the strategic, defence, cybersecurity and technology ecosystem to deliberate on the evolving challenges surrounding strategic communication, cyber-enabled information operations, disinformation and AI-assisted narrative shaping.

Held on 15 September 2026 at Chanakya Hall, CLAWS, the round table provided a platform for meaningful dialogue on how India can strengthen its information environment and build greater resilience against emerging threats in the digital domain.

Strengthening Strategic Communication in the Digital Age

The rapid convergence of cyberspace, artificial intelligence and information ecosystems has transformed the way narratives are created, amplified and consumed. Malicious actors are increasingly leveraging digital platforms, emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to influence public perception, manipulate information and shape narratives.

Against this backdrop, the conference explored the need for a coordinated, proactive and resilient strategic communication framework capable of addressing both conventional and emerging information threats.

The discussions emphasised that safeguarding India's information environment requires collaboration across government, defence, academia, industry, civil society and the wider technology ecosystem.

Key Areas of Discussion

Information Operations

Participants examined the changing nature of information operations and the increasing integration of cyber capabilities, social media, artificial intelligence and influence techniques.

The discussions highlighted the importance of developing stronger capabilities for identifying coordinated influence campaigns, detecting manipulated and synthetic content, understanding emerging information threats and strengthening societal resilience against information manipulation.

Cyber Diplomacy

The round table also explored the growing role of cyber diplomacy in India's national security and foreign policy landscape.

As cyberspace becomes increasingly interconnected with geopolitical competition, participants discussed the importance of international cooperation, responsible state behaviour, cyber norms, information sharing and strategic partnerships to address cross-border cyber and information threats.

Civil-Military Fusion

A key theme of the conference was the importance of civil-military collaboration in addressing complex and rapidly evolving security challenges.

Participants discussed the need to bridge expertise and capabilities across the defence establishment, government institutions, technology companies, cybersecurity organisations, research institutions and academia. Such collaboration can facilitate faster innovation, improve situational awareness and strengthen India's ability to respond to emerging threats.

Industry–Academia Collaboration

The conference recognised the critical role of industry and academia in developing the knowledge, technologies and skilled workforce required to address future information and cybersecurity challenges.

Greater collaboration between researchers, technology companies, cybersecurity practitioners and strategic institutions was identified as an important enabler for developing indigenous solutions, conducting advanced research and translating academic insights into operational capabilities.

Countering Disinformation

The proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes and AI-generated content has created new challenges for information integrity.

Discussions focused on strengthening mechanisms for early detection, verification, attribution and response, while also promoting media literacy, public awareness and responsible use of emerging technologies.

The participants emphasised that countering disinformation requires more than technological solutions. It also requires strong institutional processes, credible information sources, public awareness and collaboration among stakeholders.

Perception Management

The round table further explored the strategic importance of perception management in an increasingly connected information environment.

Participants discussed how narratives can influence public trust, national reputation and strategic outcomes. Building credible, transparent and timely communication mechanisms was highlighted as essential to ensuring that accurate information reaches citizens and stakeholders during emerging crises and information disruptions.

Towards a Whole-of-Nation Approach

A central takeaway from the conference was the need for a whole-of-nation approach to information and cyber resilience.

The evolving threat landscape requires greater integration of expertise from the defence and security establishment, government, industry, academia, civil society and technology communities. Such collaboration can enable India to anticipate emerging threats, strengthen information integrity and develop effective responses to increasingly sophisticated information operations.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of investing in indigenous technology, research and human capacity while fostering responsible innovation in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Building a Secure and Resilient Digital India

The CLAWS–CyberPeace Round Table reaffirmed that India's digital transformation must be accompanied by corresponding investments in cyber resilience, information integrity and strategic communication capabilities.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the information ecosystem, India will need to adopt a forward-looking approach that combines technology, policy, research, diplomacy and public awareness.

The conference served as an important platform for bringing diverse perspectives together and advancing the dialogue around India's strategic communication and information resilience.

The collective discussions underscored the importance of building a secure, resilient and sovereign digital India through whole-of-nation collaboration, enabling the country to better navigate the evolving intersection of cyberspace, artificial intelligence, information operations and national security.

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