Archive · 17 Sep 2026
MEA Dismisses Rumours After Ramaphosa Illness Following BRICS Summit
Some posts online said that several leaders became sick after a BRICS meeting in India.
India’s foreign ministry said those posts were fake and warned people not to share them.
However, South Africa confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa was unwell.
Doctors told him to rest and skip public events.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile was also recovering from a small medical procedure.
Other online posts claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping left early because he was sick.
India’s foreign ministry said there was no basis for that claim.
The BRICS Summit took place in New Delhi.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs called social-media reports that several BRICS leaders fell ill fake and malicious.
The MEA urged people not to believe or share unverified posts circulating after the New Delhi summit.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa returned home on Monday and was advised by doctors to rest after falling ill.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile was also away from public engagements while recovering from a minor medical procedure.
The MEA rejected unverified claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping left the summit early for medical reasons.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and Chinese President Xi Jinping were central to the reports.
- What
- The MEA rejected online claims that multiple world leaders fell ill after the 18th BRICS Summit, while South Africa confirmed that Ramaphosa was unwell.
- When
- The summit ended before Ramaphosa returned to South Africa on Monday; the MEA issued its warning on Thursday, while the South African Presidency issued its health update on Wednesday.
- Where
- The summit was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The MEA issued the clarification to counter unverified and allegedly malicious social-media posts about leaders’ health.
Social-Media Claims
Official Statements
Multiple leaders becoming ill
Social-Media Claims
Posts alleged that several foreign leaders fell sick after attending events connected with the BRICS Summit.
Official Statements
India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the reports false or fake and warned against sharing unverified information.
Xi Jinping’s departure
Social-Media Claims
Unverified posts claimed that Xi Jinping left the summit early because of medical problems and returned on a special plane.
Official Statements
The MEA rejected the reports and said there was no basis for them.
Ramaphosa’s absence
Social-Media Claims
Online speculation connected Ramaphosa’s absence from public events with broader claims about summit attendees becoming ill.
Official Statements
The South African Presidency confirmed that Ramaphosa was unwell and resting on medical advice, but did not disclose details of his condition.
- Event
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Location
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Summit theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
- MEA position
- Reports that several world leaders fell ill were described as fake.
- Ramaphosa update
- He was booked off from public engagements and advised to rest and recover.
- Mashatile update
- He was recovering from a minor medical procedure.
- Xi claim
- The MEA said there was no basis for reports that Xi Jinping left early for medical reasons.
