New Delhi, April 1 (NationPress) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) categorically dismissed reports alleging that India has made a formal request for observer status in the so-called 'Islamabad Peace Process', labeling them entirely false.

In a statement shared on its X account, @MEAFactCheck, the MEA's fact-checking division warned the public against accepting such misleading assertions and urged them to depend on verified information.

The ministry stated that no such application has been put forward by India and characterized the viral claims as unfounded.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also denounced the reports as fake and advised the public to be vigilant regarding the increasing prevalence of misinformation, especially concerning sensitive foreign policy issues.

The origin of this claim can be traced back to unverified social media posts that insinuated New Delhi was attempting to participate in a peace initiative associated with Islamabad.

The MEA's swift clarification aims to avert any misunderstanding or diplomatic misinterpretation, particularly given India's longstanding stance on issues related to Pakistan and regional peace efforts.

India has consistently asserted that it will not engage in any bilateral or multilateral peace discussions facilitated or mediated by Pakistan unless there is substantial and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism and the dismantling of terror networks operating from within its territory. New Delhi has reiterated that dialogue and terrorism cannot be reconciled.

The MEA FactCheck team routinely monitors and addresses false narratives, including disinformation, deepfakes, and propaganda designed to misrepresent India’s foreign policy positions.

In recent months, this unit has successfully refuted several similar claims, particularly those regarding India’s diplomatic activities in West Asia and other international platforms.

Officials have indicated that the dissemination of such fabricated news not only misleads the public but also poses a risk of creating confusion within diplomatic circles.

The ministry has encouraged both citizens and media organizations to rely solely on official governmental sources for accurate information regarding foreign policy issues.

This incident once again highlights the challenges posed by the rapid dissemination of misinformation on social media channels.

The government has been enhancing its fact-checking frameworks to improve transparency and counter attempts to undermine India’s national interests.

The MEA reaffirmed that India is dedicated to fostering peace and stability in the region, but any substantial engagement must be grounded in sincerity, a commitment to combating terrorism, and respect for India’s territorial integrity and security concerns.

Currently, there has been no official communication from the Government of India endorsing the viral claim regarding observer status in any 'Islamabad Peace Process'.