MEA debunks fake evacuation claim via Fujairah port, flags Deepfake video
Synopsis
India's MEA fired two rapid fact-check alerts on 11 May — one denying a widely circulated claim about an India-UAE evacuation pact via Fujairah port, and another flagging an AI-generated deepfake of its own spokesperson falsely admitting to Rafale losses. Officials traced both to Pakistan-based propaganda accounts.
Key Takeaways
The MEA issued a Fake News Alert on 11 May denying any India-UAE evacuation arrangement through Fujairah port .
A Times of India report claiming both countries were planning a pact to evacuate lakhs of Indian workers was flagged as false.
A separate Deepfake Video Alert was issued after an AI-generated clip falsely showed MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal admitting to losing Rafale jets.
PIB Fact Check confirmed the video was digitally altered and part of a coordinated misinformation campaign.
Officials attributed the disinformation to Pakistan-based propaganda accounts aiming to damage India's international image.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 11 May issued back-to-back fact-check alerts, strongly debunking multiple false claims circulating on social media about India's foreign policy and defence matters. The MEA called the content fabricated and part of a coordinated disinformation effort, with officials pointing to Pakistan-based propaganda accounts as the source of the misleading material.
Fujairah Port Evacuation Claim Denied
The MEA's official fact-check handle issued a
Point of View
Not just routine social media noise. The targeting of an MEA spokesperson through a deepfake — combined with fabricated evacuation headlines — suggests a sophisticated, coordinated playbook designed to exploit public anxiety during periods of India-Pakistan tension. What is notable is that a mainstream publication's report was also flagged as baseless, raising questions about the sourcing standards that allowed such a claim to be published in the first place. The government's response, while prompt, underlines a structural gap: official rebuttals consistently arrive after misinformation has already gone viral, limiting their corrective reach.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the MEA's Fake News Alert say about the Fujairah port evacuation claim?
The MEA categorically denied that India and the UAE were working on any evacuation arrangement through Fujairah port, stating there is no basis in fact for such a story and that no evacuation is being planned. The alert urged citizens to stay alert against false and baseless claims.
What was the deepfake video flagged by the MEA?
An AI-generated video falsely depicted MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal claiming that India had admitted to losing Rafale fighter jets and made other misleading allegations including claims related to water flow to Pakistan. The MEA confirmed the spokesperson never made such statements.
Who verified that the video was fake?
Both the MEA's official fact-check handle and PIB Fact Check confirmed the video was digitally altered. PIB noted that the original, unedited MEA briefing video is publicly available on official platforms, and no such remarks were ever made.
Who is behind the disinformation campaign?
Officials stated that several Pakistan-based propaganda accounts were responsible for circulating the misleading videos and fabricated headlines, with the intent of distorting facts and damaging India's international image.
What should citizens do to avoid falling for such fake content?
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid sharing unverified content, and rely only on authenticated government communications and official platforms for accurate information about India's foreign policy and defence matters.
