Archive · 13 Sep 2026
MEA Debunks Viral BRICS Summit Videos About Poha, Portrait
Two videos about the BRICS Summit were shared online with incorrect explanations.
One video showed poha and other Indian breakfast foods.
The Ministry of External Affairs said this food was for journalists, not world leaders.
It also said leaders were not served breakfast at the summit venue.
Another video claimed Narendra Modi gave Xi Jinping a portrait of himself.
The Press Information Bureau said that claim was false.
The clip actually showed Xi giving Modi a porcelain memento in 2019.
Both government fact-check teams asked people not to believe the misleading posts.
The Ministry of External Affairs called fake a video claiming poha was served to world leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit.
The meal shown was served to journalists at the International Media Centre in Bharat Mandapam, not summit delegates.
The MEA said no breakfast was served to world leaders at the summit venue.
A separate video falsely claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted his own portrait to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Press Information Bureau said the clip was from 12 October 2019, when Xi Jinping gifted Modi a porcelain memento featuring his image in Mamallapuram.
- Who
- The Ministry of External Affairs and the Press Information Bureau fact-checked claims involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- What
- Officials debunked two viral videos: one about poha being served to world leaders and another about Modi gifting his portrait to Xi Jinping.
- When
- The summit-related claim concerned the 18th BRICS Summit; the second video was identified as footage from 12 October 2019.
- Where
- The breakfast footage came from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam; the 2019 footage was from Mamallapuram.
- Why
- The claims were misleading because the breakfast was for journalists, while the portrait video showed a gift from Xi Jinping to Modi.
Viral Claims
Official Fact-Checks
Poha at the summit
Viral Claims
The viral video claimed that poha was served to world leaders at Bharat Mandapam during the 18th BRICS Summit.
Official Fact-Checks
The Ministry of External Affairs said the claim was fake; the food was for journalists at the International Media Centre, and no breakfast was served to leaders at the venue.
Portrait gift
Viral Claims
A circulated clip claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a portrait of himself to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Official Fact-Checks
The Press Information Bureau said the clip was from 12 October 2019 and showed Xi Jinping gifting Modi a porcelain memento featuring Modi's image.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Breakfast location
- International Media Centre, Bharat Mandapam
- Breakfast recipients
- Journalists, not world leaders
- MEA finding
- No breakfast was served to world leaders at the summit venue
- Portrait-video date
- 12 October 2019
- Portrait-video location
- Mamallapuram
- Fact-checking bodies
- Ministry of External Affairs and Press Information Bureau