Contextualizing Indian Newspaper Coverage of Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine Conflicts

Media representations significantly shape public opinion and political discourse. In India, The Times of India and The Hindu are pivotal in influencing and reflecting public sentiment and government policies. By examining their coverage of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts, we can gain insights into the interplay between media, politics, ideology, and their impact on international and intercultural relations. The following study employs intercultural communication theories and critical discourse analysis to evaluate newspaper portrayals of war within the broader context of India’s strategic relationships with Russia and Israel and the changing domestic political ideologies. The paper strives to understand the shifting media narratives as well as explore how Indian cultural perspectives shape the interpretation of foreign conflicts.