Regional and National Media Narratives on the Indus Waters Treaty During Operation Sindoor
A Comparative Framing Analysis in Post-370 Jammu and Kashmir
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19490346 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mansi Mantoo, Nadim Akhter (Lovely Professional University), Sumit K Pandey (Manipal Academy of Higher Education), Monica Narang (University of Jammu), Rinnie Mahajan (0000-0001-5891-7725, University of Jammu), Sandeep Singh (0000-0002-4685-0655, University of Jammu), Kartika Bakshi (University of Jammu) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 12s |
| Publication date | 2026-05-26 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2582-7472 • E-ISSN: 2582-7472 |
| Publisher | Granthaalayah Publications and Printers (PUBLISHER • IN) |
| DOI | 10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i12s.2026.8331 |
| OpenAlex | W7162433709 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 10 |
The post-abrogation period in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed major transformations in political discourse, security narratives, and regional media practices. The Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 and the subsequent launch of Operation Sindoor intensified tensions between India and Pakistan and brought renewed focus to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), one of the longest surviving water-sharing agreements in South Asia. India’s decision to suspend participation in certain treaty mechanisms marked a significant shift in the relationship between hydro-diplomacy and national security. The present study examines how regional and national newspapers framed the Indus Waters Treaty during Operation Sindoor. The study comparatively analyses the coverage of Greater Kashmir, Daily Excelsior, and The Hindu between April 22 and May 15, 2025. Using qualitative comparative content analysis, the research explores differences in framing patterns, thematic emphasis, language use, source selection, headline orientation, and visual representation. The fndings reveal clear differences in editorial orientation. Greater Kashmir largely framed the issue through humanitarian and diplomatic concerns while also situating the developments within historical and legal continuity. Daily Excelsior strongly emphasized nationalism, retaliation, and securitization narratives, presenting the treaty suspension as a strategic response to terrorism. The Hindu adopted a policy-oriented and diplomatic framing, focusing on regional stability, international implications, and legal dimensions of the treaty. The study draws upon Framing Theory, Securitization Theory, and Conflict Reporting Models to interpret these differences. The findings suggest that media framing in post-370 Jammu and Kashmir is shaped not only by geography and readership but also by political positioning and institutional orientation. By examining the intersection of hydropolitics, terrorism, diplomacy, and media narratives, the study contributes to the growing scholarship on conflict reporting and resource securitization in South Asia
Headline · Indus · Narrative · National security · Newspaper · Parliament · Politics · Treaty · Global Security and Public Health · South Asian Studies and Conflicts · Transboundary Water Resource Management
| Highly cited | No |
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