Archive · 18 Sep 2026
MEA Rejects Misleading Claims About BRICS Leaders’ Health
The BRICS Summit brought leaders from 11 countries together in New Delhi.
After the meeting, some social media posts made claims about leaders becoming seriously ill.
Some posts said Chinese President Xi Jinping fainted and had a stroke.
Officials did not confirm those claims.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office did confirm that he was unwell.
His doctors told him to rest after he returned from India.
India’s foreign ministry called the online claims misleading and malicious.
The ministry asked people to be cautious about such posts.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs warned against malicious and misleading social media posts about BRICS leaders’ health.
Unverified posts alleged that Chinese President Xi Jinping fainted, suffered a stroke and returned to Beijing for treatment.
There was no official confirmation that Xi Jinping suffered a stroke or received emergency hospital treatment.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said he withdrew from public engagements after returning from India because of ill health.
The BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi from September 12 to 13 under India’s chairship.
- Who
- The Ministry of External Affairs, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were central to the report.
- What
- The Ministry of External Affairs rejected misleading social media claims about the health of BRICS leaders, while Ramaphosa’s office confirmed he was unwell.
- When
- The BRICS Summit took place September 12–13; the Ministry of External Affairs issued its warning on Thursday, and Ramaphosa returned from India on Monday.
- Where
- The summit was held in New Delhi, India; Ramaphosa later withdrew from engagements in South Africa.
- Why
- The Ministry of External Affairs issued the warning in response to unverified social media claims about leaders’ health.
Social Media Claims
Official Statements
Xi Jinping’s health
Social Media Claims
Unverified posts alleged that Xi Jinping fainted during the summit, suffered a stroke and was flown back to Beijing for treatment.
Official Statements
The Ministry of External Affairs said such posts were misleading, and the report noted that no official confirmation supported the claims.
Cyril Ramaphosa’s absence
Social Media Claims
The reports about leaders becoming ill raised questions about Ramaphosa’s health after he returned from India and withdrew from public engagements.
Official Statements
The South African Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa was unwell, had been advised by doctors to rest and would be represented by ministers where possible.
- Summit
- BRICS Summit
- Location
- New Delhi, India
- Dates
- September 12–13
- Host
- India, under its chairship
- Xi Jinping claims
- Social media posts alleged that he fainted and suffered a stroke, but there was no official confirmation.
- Ramaphosa’s condition
- His office said he was ill and advised to rest and recover.
- Official response
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the social media posts misleading and malicious.