The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday dismissed social media reports claiming that several world leaders fell ill after attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, calling the claims fake and misleading.
The MEA's fact-checking unit issued a warning on social media against what it described as "malicious posts" circulating online. The ministry urged people not to believe or spread unverified claims regarding the health of leaders who attended the summit.
Claims about Xi Jinping
The reports gained attention after social media posts made unverified claims about Chinese President Xi Jinping's health. Some posts alleged that Xi had fallen ill during the summit and returned to China for medical treatment.
However, there has been no official confirmation from Chinese authorities or credible sources that Xi suffered a medical emergency or stroke. The MEA specifically flagged such claims as misleading.
Xi attended the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the event.
Ramaphosa's illness confirmed, but no link to summit
The rumours also followed reports about South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who withdrew from public engagements after returning from India.
The South African Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa was unwell and had been advised by his doctors to rest and recover. However, the official statement did not link his illness to the BRICS Summit or suggest that he became unwell because of his participation in the event.
Ramaphosa returned to South Africa on Monday after attending the summit. His office said ministers would represent him at scheduled engagements where necessary while he rested on medical advice.
MEA warns against misinformation
The MEA's intervention came amid a wider wave of social media posts attempting to connect the health of different leaders with their participation in the summit.
The ministry's fact-checking unit posted, "Fake Alert!!!" and cautioned users against such posts, describing them as malicious.
The 18th BRICS Summit was hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders of the expanded BRICS grouping. The summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration.
The MEA's clarification makes clear that claims linking multiple leaders falling ill to the BRICS Summit should not be treated as established facts. While Ramaphosa's illness was officially confirmed, claims about Xi Jinping's alleged health emergency remain unverified and have been rejected by the MEA.
