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The mobile application — REDNOTE — lures users with cash and other rewards to share “anti-India content”, sources said.
China’s information warfare against India (Reuters Image, used for representational purposes)
In a new dimension of information warfare, China has reportedly resorted to plotting against India’s northeastern states using a mobile application – REDNOTE – which lures users with money and other rewards to share anti-national content, intelligence sources said on Friday.
The residents of several northeastern states are on the app’s radar, including those belonging to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Assam.
Appearing to be an ordinary app from the outside, REDNOTE is filled with fake RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) documents, disputed maps of India, edited videos, and content aligned with Pakistan’s agenda.
The app aims to create mistrust among youth towards India with messages such as “Delhi is far away”. It also promotes the idea that being closer to China would be beneficial for the residents of the northeast.
Joint Operation By Pakistan And China?
According to intelligence sources, psychological operations experts from China and Pakistan are behind this app, which is being used to infiltrate the minds and society of Indians.
“China knows that Northeast India is extremely sensitive in terms of national security. That’s why it’s applying the same strategy it used earlier in Africa, Taiwan, and Hong Kong to create instability,” sources said.
Govt Initiates Procedure To Ban App
Sources said that the Centre and national security agencies are aware of the application’s malicious activities in India, and the Ministry of Electronics and IT has initiated the necessary procedure to ban it in the country. India had earlier banned several popular Chinese apps, such as TikTok, ShareIt, and UC Browser, due to national security reasons.
China has for long questioned India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and depicted the state as part of its “South Tibet” in its maps, drawing sharp condemnation from New Delhi.
The neighbouring country has also been accused of deploying seemingly harmless mobile apps to gather intelligence, influence youth, and spread its propaganda.
Beijing has time and again indulged in using disinformation to exploit ethnic and regional tensions in states like Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland. The provocative messaging often includes ideas such as “Delhi is far,” or “China offers better development,” to stir separatist sentiments among the northeastern residents.
Chinese state media like Global Times runs aggressive editorials targeting Indian policies, mocking democratic governance, and promoting narratives of Chinese superiority.
India has so far banned over 300 Chinese apps since the Galwan clash in June 2020.
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