In an interactive session that underscored the evolving character of contemporary conflict, Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria, Commandant of the Army War College (AWC), engaged officers of the ongoing Information Warfare Course on the critical interplay of culture, language and cognitive dimensions in the information domain.
Keywords: Information Operations, Army War College Mhow, Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria, Cognitive Warfare, Language in Military Strategy, Indian Army Information Warfare Course
The discussion centred on the salience of language as a strategic tool, the role of emotions and other cognitive abilities in shaping perceptions, and the imperative of effective communication. Participants examined how cultural literacy, particularly proficiency in foreign languages, enables deeper understanding of adversary mind sets and operational environments. The Commandant highlighted that language remains foundational to information operations, noting the historical example of two American writers who translated a Chinese text revealing aspects of China’s war-zone culture, insights that were never fully disseminated in English when such linguistic expertise was scarce. Today, the growing pool of Chinese-language specialists has transformed this dynamic.
The session also addressed the rapid proliferation of non-state actors and the outsized influence of global market forces. References were made to technology giants such as Nvidia, whose valuation has crossed the five-trillion-dollar mark, illustrating how commercial entities now shape geopolitical and informational landscapes. In an era where social media permeates every sphere, the ability of individuals operating from remote locations to influence global narratives was emphasised as a defining feature of modern information contests.
A key conceptual takeaway was the preference for the term “Information Operations” over the broader and sometimes ambiguous “Information Warfare,” reflecting a more precise and doctrinally coherent approach. The Commandant further observed that the traditional generation gap has narrowed dramatically, now measured in as little as three years, accelerating the need for continuous adaptation in training and doctrine.
The interaction forms part of the Army War College’s sustained effort to prepare officers for multi-domain challenges in which cognitive and informational superiority are as decisive as kinetic capability. Under Lt Gen Chandpuria’s leadership since May 2026, the institution continues to refine its curriculum to align with the complexities of hybrid and technology-driven conflict.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
