Xi Jinping, Ramaphosa Sick After BRICS Summit? India Fact-Checks Viral Claims

Claims about Xi Jinping and Cyril Ramaphosa’s health have gone viral days after India hosted the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, prompting the Ministry of External Affairs to issue a fact check. The MEA on Thursday, September 17, warned against “misleading” and “malicious posts” circulating on social media.

The speculation surrounding Xi began after Chinese dissident Wanjun Xie claimed on X that the Chinese president had fainted during the September 12-13 summit and suffered a severe ischemic stroke. Xie further alleged that Xi struggled while boarding his aircraft, was assisted by a doctor and was later taken to Beijing’s 301 Hospital.

There has been no credible report or official confirmation supporting those claims. Xie’s post also received a community note on X questioning its accuracy.

The rumours grew after Xi skipped the Brics gala dinner following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Some social media users also cited Modi’s pause during his opening remarks on September 12, when he looked towards Xi and asked, “Is it okay?” While some interpreted this as concern over Xi’s health, others said Modi was referring to Xi’s earpiece translator.

The claims also spawned fake videos and AI generated images showing an allegedly unwell Xi. Other accounts, including Washington Times correspondent Bill Gertz, Laura Loomer and blogger Jennifer Zeng, amplified different versions of the health speculation, including claims of a minor illness, stroke and other medical problems. None of these claims were independently confirmed.

Importantly, Xi was seen carrying out official duties after the summit. Reuters reported on September 17 that he addressed China’s National Advanced Manufacturing Conference in Beijing, calling for a stronger advanced manufacturing sector.

Ramaphosa’s case is different. South Africa’s presidency confirmed on September 16 that he had temporarily withdrawn from public engagements after returning from India because of ill health and was advised by his medical team to rest. His office did not disclose the nature or severity of his condition.

His absence also drew attention because Deputy President Paul Mashatile was recovering from a minor medical procedure, leaving both South Africa’s top leaders away from some public engagements.

The MEA’s fact check therefore targeted the wider viral claims linking multiple BRICS leaders to illness, rather than confirming that every report about Ramaphosa’s health was false. The ministry urged social media users not to spread such misleading posts.