MEA reveals news of BRICS leaders falling ill after India summit; calls claims false | Today’s news
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday dismissed reports of several world leaders falling ill after attending the BRICS summit in India, terming the reports as “false”.
In a post on X, the ministry’s fact-checking unit warned against what it described as “harmful” posts circulating on social media platforms.
“Fake alert!!! We warn against such malicious posts on social media platforms!” the ministry stated in a post on X.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is not feeling well
The MEA statement came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said he had withdrawn from public procurement after returning from the BRICS summit in India.
The 73-year-old president was advised by doctors to rest and recover due to ill health, according to the statement.
“The Presidency wishes to advise that due to ill health, President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently excluded from public procurement,” it said.
Ramaphosa returned from the summit on Monday and has since been resting on medical advice, the presidency said.
“If possible, the president has asked relevant ministers to represent him at planned public events,” he added.
Ramaphosa’s absence comes as South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also recovering from a minor medical procedure, keeping the country’s two top leaders out of public engagement. This was reported by Hindustan Times.
Mashatile said he will continue to rest on the advice of his doctors while work and delegated duties continue.
“On the advice of my doctors, I will continue to rest until advised otherwise, while work and delegated responsibilities continue to take place in a capable team in my office with other stakeholders in government, business and other sectors,” he said.
Claims about Xi Jinping
In addition, several unverified reports claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping left the BRICS Summit early due to health reasons and returned on a special plane.
Leaders from the bloc’s leaders attended the BRICS summit in India. In addition to Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also took part in the summit.
