‘Fake alert’: MEA denies reports of world leaders falling sick after BRICS Summit | India News - Hindustan Times

**New Delhi –** The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday refuted circulating rumors that several world leaders fell ill immediately after the recent BRICS summit in Johannesburg. The ministry’s official statement said there is “no verifiable evidence” to support claims that leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping or South African President Cyril Ramaphosa suffered any health emergencies during or after the summit. It added that the government “takes the spread of unverified health information very seriously” and is monitoring social‑media platforms for misinformation that could undermine diplomatic relations.

The rumors gained traction after a post by the self‑identified chief of the China Democracy Party alleged that Xi had suffered a stroke and fainted at the summit, a claim later flagged by X (formerly Twitter) with a community note warning of its unverified nature. In parallel, Reuters reported that President Ramaphosa was “booked off” from public engagements due to a brief bout of ill health, a routine precaution that the South African presidency has not linked to the summit. Indian media outlets, including *India Today* and *The Times of India*, amplified the speculation, prompting the MEA’s prompt denial.

Experts say the episode highlights how quickly unsubstantiated health rumors can spread in the digital age, especially when they involve high‑profile figures in geopolitically sensitive gatherings. Fact‑checking agencies and diplomatic channels have urged the public to rely on official communications rather than anonymous social‑media posts. The MEA’s clarification aims to quell any diplomatic fallout and reassure both domestic and international audiences that all leaders are in good health and that the summit concluded without incident.