Archive · 8 Aug 2026
MEA rejects 'fake news' report on India-Israel defence pact
Some news reports said that India asked Israel to make a special military agreement after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey made their own deal.
India's government said these reports are fake and not true.
The story first came from a Turkish news website and then spread on social media.
India's fact-checking team warned people about fake posts that use computers to make false content.
The three countries' deal is called the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
It says that if one of the three countries is attacked, the others will help.
India said it is closely watching what happens with this agreement.
India's leader Narendra Modi and Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu talked on the phone.
They talked about making their friendship and partnership stronger.
Israel's leader said the two countries will keep building their strong relationship.
India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed as 'fake news' a report claiming New Delhi had initiated talks with Israel for a defence pact to offset the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey trilateral alliance.
The claim originated from Turkish media outlet Straturka, citing unnamed Pakistani sources, before spreading across social media platforms.
The MEA Fact Check unit shared a screenshot of the article on X, warning against malicious social media posts that use AI to create fake content.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement', under which any armed attack against one of the three states is regarded as an attack against them all.
PM Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on Thursday to advance the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership, with Netanyahu saying the two countries will continue to strengthen their bond.
- Who
- India's Ministry of External Affairs, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, PM Narendra Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and the governments of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
- What
- The MEA rejected as 'fake news' a report claiming India sought a defence pact with Israel in response to the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement', while Modi and Netanyahu reaffirmed the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership.
- When
- Friday, August 07, following a Modi-Netanyahu phone call held on Thursday.
- Where
- New Delhi, where MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal held the weekly media briefing; the trilateral agreement involves Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
- Why
- To counter an unverified report linking Indian foreign policy to the new trilateral security framework and to reaffirm the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership.
The Report's Claim
Official Rebuttal
Alleged India-Israel defence pact
The Report's Claim
Turkish media outlet Straturka, citing unnamed Pakistani sources, claimed India had initiated talks with Israel for a defence pact to counter the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey trilateral security arrangement.
Official Rebuttal
India's MEA Fact Check unit dismissed the report as fake news, cautioned against malicious social media posts using AI to create fake content, and said India is closely monitoring developments related to the trilateral agreement.
- MEA action
- Rejected the report as fake news via its Fact Check unit and shared a screenshot of the article on X
- Report origin
- Turkish media outlet Straturka, citing unnamed Pakistani sources
- Trilateral agreement
- 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement' signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
- Agreement principle
- Any armed attack against one of the three states is regarded as an attack against them all
- MEA spokesperson
- Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi
- Modi-Netanyahu call
- Held on Thursday; focused on the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership and the situation in West Asia
- Call initiator
- The Israeli side initiated the call, which PM Modi received
- MEA warning
- Cautioned against malicious social media posts that use AI to create fake content
Sources
India rejects Israel defence pact reports after Pak-Saudi-Turkiye deal
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
'Fake news': India on defence pact with Israel reports
