Western Media Bias Becomes Apparent in Coverage of Operation Sindhoor and Operation Rising Lion

The Blackout of Iran’s Claims
June 15, 2025 . In a glaring display of selective journalism, Western media outlets have exposed their biases in their coverage—or deliberate omission—of Operation Sindhoor and Operation Rising Lion. Iran’s audacious claim that it destroyed three Israeli F-35 fighter jets, killed two pilots, and captured a female pilot has been met with a wall of silence from global news giants like CNN, Bloomberg, Reuters, and even Al Jazeera. Israel swiftly denied these assertions, but the refusal of these outlets to report Iran’s claims, even skeptically, raises a critical question: Why the blackout?

Ties to the Defense Industrial Complex
The answer lies in the financial strings that tie Western media to the global defense industrial complex. These outlets, whether through direct funding or advertising revenue, are tethered to powerful interests that shape their narratives. Reporting Iran’s claims risks tarnishing the invincibility of the F-35, a cornerstone of American defense exports. Fear of alienating their benefactors has led these media houses to suppress the story, revealing their complicity in protecting Western military dominance.

Psychological Warfare and Double Standards
In conflicts where a weaker nation’s sovereignty is violated, it is standard for the underdog to amplify claims of destroying the aggressor’s war machinery. This psychological tactic aims to erode the enemy’s morale while boosting domestic confidence. During Operation Sindhoor in 2025, Pakistan claimed to have shot down French-made Rafale jets, a boast that Western media outlets reported without demanding immediate proof. In reality, Pakistan had struck dummies painted to resemble Rafales—a fact later confirmed but conveniently ignored by the same outlets. Yet, when Iran makes similar claims about F-35s, these media houses demand irrefutable evidence. This double standard exposes a clear Western bias against nations that challenge their geopolitical narrative.

India: The Target of Western Contempt
The Western media’s rot is most evident in its coverage of India, a rising power increasingly targeted by skewed narratives. India’s stunning success in Operation Sindhoor, where it dismantled 12 Pakistani military bases in three days, should have dominated global headlines. These bases, armed with American and Western weaponry, were obliterated by India’s strategic prowess, yet Western outlets either ignored or downplayed the achievement. The reason? India’s growing military and economic might threatens the Eurocentric world order that the West has long upheld.

Amplifying Negatives, Ignoring Positives
The West struggles to accept India’s ascent. Negative stories about India—crimes against women or communal riots—are exaggerated to portray the nation as chaotic. In contrast, similar incidents in London, Paris, or Los Angeles are downplayed or framed as anomalies. India’s achievements, such as its space program or deployment of Rafale jets, are either ignored or dismissed. This contempt stems from an inability to reconcile with India’s transformation from a former colony to a global powerhouse pursuing self-sufficiency and strategic autonomy.

The Rafale Conundrum and Defense Politics
India’s Rafale jets, which match the capabilities of top American fighters, are a sore point for Western defense contractors. The F-35 is aggressively marketed to India, not for its superiority but to ensure dependence on American supply chains. A self-reliant India, developing its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), threatens the West’s business model. France pushes Rafales, Russia promotes SU-57s, and all discourage India’s indigenous efforts. An India standing as an independent pillar in a multipolar world is anathema to those who profit from global dependency.

A Disinformation Campaign
This bias is not merely ideological; it is a calculated disinformation campaign. Unlike China, whose economic rise was fueled by Western investments to counter the Soviet Union, India’s success is self-made, driven by focused effort and resilience. This independence irks those who view global power as their exclusive domain. In India, a segment of the population remains mentally colonized, believing Western media represents the gold standard of truth. Yet, the evidence is undeniable: these outlets are agenda-driven, amplifying narratives that serve their interests.

India’s Path to Self-Reliance
India’s way forward is clear: it must deepen its commitment to self-sufficiency, particularly in arms production. The AMCA project and other indigenous defense initiatives are steps toward breaking free from foreign dependence. As global powers vie for India’s defense contracts, India must resist pressure to buy foreign systems and invest in its own capabilities. The path to greatness is solitary, but India has never shied away from walking alone.

A New World Order
The words of Rabindranath Tagore resonate: “Jodi tore dak sune keu na ashe, tabe ekla cholo re” (If no one heeds to your call, walk it alone). India’s journey does not require Western validation. As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar noted, Europe must abandon the mindset that its problems are the world’s, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s. The Eurocentric world order is fading, and India’s rise signals a multipolar reality.

India Stands Tall
The Western media’s bias is a symptom of anxiety about a world where power is no longer concentrated in a few hands. India’s success in Operation Sindhoor and Operation Rising Lion underscores that the global south is no longer a passive player. As India forges ahead, it must remain vigilant against disinformation and resolute in its pursuit of self-reliance. The world may not applaud, but India’s billion-plus people know their nation is a force to be reckoned with, and no media blackout can dim its light. India must remember that when you are on top you are alone.