2 hrs ago
India Rejects Misleading Claims Leaders Fell Ill After BRICS Summit
Some social-media posts said many leaders got sick after the BRICS meeting in Delhi.
India’s foreign ministry said those posts were fake and misleading.
The meeting happened on Saturday and Sunday.
The posts became popular after South Africa said President Cyril Ramaphosa was unwell.
Ramaphosa had returned home from Delhi on Monday.
South Africa did not say what illness he had or whether it was connected to the meeting.
Other posts suggested Chinese President Xi Jinping was sick because he missed a dinner.
Videos showed that Narendra Modi’s question to Xi may have been about Xi’s translation equipment instead.
No other attending leader was reported to be ill.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs called social-media claims that several BRICS leaders fell ill after the summit fake and misleading.
The BRICS summit took place in Delhi on Saturday and Sunday.
The claims spread after South Africa said President Cyril Ramaphosa would miss public events because of ill health.
Ramaphosa returned from Delhi on Monday, but officials did not disclose his illness or link it to the summit.
Posts also speculated about Xi Jinping’s health, though videos indicated Narendra Modi was checking Xi’s audio translation device.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- India rejected social-media claims that multiple BRICS leaders became ill after the summit as fake and misleading.
- Where
- The summit took place in Delhi, India; Ramaphosa later returned to South Africa.
- When
- The summit was held Saturday and Sunday; the ministry issued its warning on Thursday, after Ramaphosa returned Monday.
- Why
- The ministry said the claims were malicious and misleading; the speculation followed reports of Ramaphosa’s ill health and questions about Xi’s absence from a dinner.
Official Account
Social-Media Speculation
Leaders’ health
Official Account
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said claims that multiple leaders became ill after the summit were fake and misleading.
Social-Media Speculation
Social-media accounts claimed that multiple or numerous leaders had fallen ill after attending the summit.
Cyril Ramaphosa’s illness
Official Account
South African officials said Ramaphosa was ill and advised to rest, but did not say the illness was connected to the summit.
Social-Media Speculation
Some posts and reports implied that Ramaphosa’s illness after returning from Delhi could be related to the summit.
Xi Jinping’s absence
Official Account
Videos indicated Narendra Modi’s question to Xi Jinping concerned an audio translation device being handled by Xi’s staff.
Social-Media Speculation
Posts cited Xi’s absence from the leaders’ dinner and Modi’s question as possible signs that Xi had fallen ill.
Key facts
- Summit location
- Delhi, India
- Summit dates
- Saturday and Sunday
- Indian ministry’s assessment
- The claims were fake, misleading, and malicious.
- Ramaphosa’s status
- He was advised by his medical team to rest and recover and would not attend public events.
- Ramaphosa’s return
- He returned from the BRICS summit on Monday.
- Social-media reach
- Some posts had more than 7.7 million views on X by 3 p.m. Thursday.
- Other reported illnesses
- No other summit attendee was reported to have fallen ill.
Quotes
Ministry of External Affairs
India’s government ministry responsible for foreign affairs
“We caution against such malicious posts on social media platforms”
scroll.in
Sources
Related news
MEA Dismisses Rumours After Ramaphosa Illness Following BRICS Summit
Unverified Xi Jinping Stroke Rumor Draws Warning on X
MEA Debunks Viral BRICS Summit Videos About Poha, Portrait
Xi Jinping Health Speculation Grows After BRICS Dinner No-Show
Unseen BRICS Footage Shows Modi’s Informal Leader Interactions
Viral BRICS Clips Spark Debate Over Officials’ Snack Break
Rubio Imposes Visa Restrictions on South Africa Over Bias Claims
Rubio Announces U.S. Visa Curbs for Some South African Nationals
