‘Fake alert’: MEA rejects claims of leaders falling sick after Brics summit in Delhi

File photo: Brics leaders during a joint tree plantation initiative amid the 18th BRICS Summit, at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs has rejected social media posts claiming that multiple world leaders fell sick after attending the Brics summit in New Delhi, warning against “malicious posts” circulating online.The MEA fact check unit posted on X: “Fake Alert!!! We caution against such malicious posts on social media platforms!” The warning came amid social media claims surrounding the health of leaders who attended the Brics summit, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.A post by Wanjun Xie, chairman of the China Democracy Party, claimed that Xi had fainted during the Brics summit and suffered a stroke before being flown back to Beijing for treatment. The claim has not been officially confirmed by Chinese authorities or credible news outlets. The claim gained attention after Xi skipped the summit dinner, according to reports. However, there has been no official confirmation that the Chinese president suffered a stroke or was taken to hospital for emergency treatment. Separately, Ramaphosa did withdraw from public engagements after returning from the Brics summit in India. His office said on Wednesday that the South African president had been advised by his doctors to rest and recover because of ill health. No details about the nature or severity of his illness were provided.Ramaphosa returned from the Brics summit on Monday and was scheduled to resume public engagements, but his office said ministers would represent him wherever possible.The Brics summit was held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders and representatives of the expanded grouping. Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the leaders who attended the summit. Prisha Patnaik is a journalist with The Times of India, writing across geopolitics, international affairs, culture, history and internet culture. With over two years of experience in social media and digital content, she is interested in how news, politics and culture are shaped for digital audiences. She holds a master’s degree in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.