New Delhi to Host Roundtable on EU-India Cooperation Against Online Disinformation

New Delhi is gearing up for a crucial gathering on February 21st, where more than 35 experts from the European Union (EU) and India will join hands to tackle the growing problem of fake news and online misinformation. This important meeting, happening alongside the Raisina Dialogue 2024, is the fourth of its kind, organized by the EU-funded project Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA), the Indian Observer Research Foundation (ORF), and the EU Delegation to India.

The event, titled “Combatting disinformation online: EU and Indian perspectives,” aims to dig deep into the issues of online fake news and find ways for the EU and India to work together to fight it. Experts from different EU organizations like the European External Action Service, German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French Embassy in New Delhi, and the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be there. And from India, representatives from agencies like India’s National Cyber Coordination Centre and the National Security Council Secretariat will be part of the conversation too.

They’ll be talking about things like how countries can respond to fake news, what they’re doing to stop people who spread fake news, and how regular people can protect themselves from it. Seppo Nurmi, who’s helping to lead the EU Delegation to India, stressed the need for countries to work together to fight the problem. He said, “In cyberspace, we’re all neighbors, and we need to help each other stay safe.”

This event is all about making sure the internet stays a safe place for everyone to use. ESIWA and ORF have been organizing meetings like this to help countries work together on security issues. Mindaugas Lasas, who’s helping organize the event, pointed out that fighting fake news is more important than ever. He said, “This meeting is a great chance for the EU and India to team up and make the internet safer for everyone.”

ESIWA, which is funded by the EU along with the German and French governments, focuses on making the Indo-Pacific region safer. They work on things like fighting terrorism, handling crises, making the internet secure, and keeping the seas safe. As the experts gather in New Delhi, they’re not just talking about fake news; they’re working to make sure everyone can use the internet without worrying about getting tricked by false information.