Recent occurrences have demonstrated how misinformation – particularly on issues such as disease outbreaks – can snowball into public crises, leaving institutions rushing to manage both perception and fact.

Southern countries risk becoming "jargon consumers," taking on concepts designed to solve problems that may not even exist in their local context.

To effectively manage the complexities of South Asia, India must develop robust early warning systems dedicated to its neighbourhood. Recent global events highlight the critical need for such mechanisms.