Indian Army allows Instagram viewing for soldiers, keeps ban on posting, interaction
New Delhi: The Indian Army has quietly updated its social media policy, allowing soldiers and officers to access Instagram, but strictly as silent viewers. According to sources, personnel can use the platform only to watch and monitor content. Posting, liking or commenting remains prohibited, and all existing rules governing digital behaviour continue to apply.
The revised instructions have been circulated across army units and departments. The objective, sources said, is to let soldiers stay informed, track developments online and build awareness, without compromising operational security. Personnel are also permitted to flag fake, misleading or suspicious posts to senior officers.
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The Army has, over the years, repeatedly tightened and revised its social media guidelines, especially for platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The restrictions stem from security concerns, particularly instances where soldiers were targeted through “honey traps” by hostile foreign agencies, resulting in the inadvertent sharing of sensitive information.
Responding to a question on how the forces balance discipline with the digital habits of Generation Z, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently addressed the issue at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue.
Acknowledging the challenge, General Dwivedi said young cadets arriving at the National Defence Academy often struggle to part with their phones. “It takes three to six months to convince them that there is life without a phone,” he remarked, while adding that smartphones today are also a necessity.
The Army chief stressed how important smartphones are for preserving family ties, while noting that phones are useful tools for reading, learning, and handling personal obligations. He also mentioned that soldiers deployed in remote areas rely on their phones to view photos of their newborn children, check on ageing parents, or maintain contact with their wives.
However, General Dwivedi drew a firm line when it comes to engaging on social media. He emphasised the difference between “reacting” and “responding,” cautioning soldiers against impulsive online responses. “Reacting is immediate. Responding involves thought and analysis,” he said, adding that army personnel are currently permitted to use platforms like X only for viewing, not replying. “Reply after you retire,” he remarked, describing this restraint as a strategic message to adversaries: the Army does not react, it responds.
Army personnel were barred from joining any social media groups until 2019. Following repeated cases of misuse, the rules were further tightened in 2020, with soldiers instructed to delete 89 mobile applications. Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told Parliament in 2017, that social media guidelines were framed to safeguard information and prevent misuse.
Over time, limited access has been restored under strict supervision. Platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Quora, Telegram and WhatsApp are now permitted, but only within clearly defined boundaries. The Army also runs its own official social media handles, which serve as authorised sources of information.
Under the updated framework, soldiers may use social media to gather general information, upload resumes or explore professional opportunities, provided all security protocols are strictly followed and no instructions are violated.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
