India denies Xi Jinping fell ill at the BRICS summit after online rumors go into overdrive

Published September 17, 2026 3:24pm ET | Updated September 17, 2026 3:24pm ET



The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pushing back on rumors circulating online that multiple world leaders fell ill at a recent summit in New Delhi, warning the public not to believe “malicious posts.”

The speculation centers on the leaders of China and South Africa after returning from the BRICS summit held over the weekend. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office announced on Wednesday that the leader would be temporarily stepping back from public engagements.

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