A misleading claim about the arrangements for world leaders attending the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi has been debunked by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). A viral social media post claimed that an image showed the breakfast served to BRICS leaders at the summit venue. The post quickly attracted attention online, but the MEA’s official Fact Check account categorically rejected the claim as “fake news,” clarifying that no breakfast was served to world leaders at the summit venue.
As per India TV News reports, the controversy began after an English daily shared an image on social media with the caption suggesting that it showed the breakfast menu prepared for BRICS leaders. The photograph showed food arranged in serving containers, creating the impression that elaborate breakfast arrangements had been made for the visiting heads of state and government. However, the image was subsequently circulated without the necessary context, allowing a misleading narrative to gain traction online.
The MEA Fact Check put the record straight, stating that no breakfast was served to world leaders at the summit venue. More importantly, the ministry clarified that the photograph being circulated was not from the leaders’ summit area at all. According to the MEA, the visual was actually taken at the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam. The clarification shows how a genuine photograph can be paired with a misleading caption and turned into a false claim, underscoring the importance of verifying the source and context of viral content before sharing it.
The episode also raises serious questions about media responsibility. Publications such as The Hindu amplified the misleading narrative by presenting the image as the breakfast menu for BRICS leaders, adding further momentum to a claim that was later debunked by the MEA. The media has an important responsibility to verify facts, establish context, and cross-check information before publishing, particularly during a major international event involving world leaders. Instead of adding fuel to an unverified claim and allowing it to spread further, responsible journalism should ensure the public receives accurate, properly contextualized information.
The clarification comes as Bharat hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting the gathering of BRICS leaders. Bharat is chairing the grouping this year under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” The summit focuses on strengthening cooperation among member countries, with particular emphasis on resilience, innovation, sustainability, development, and the priorities of the Global South.
The episode also demonstrates why official fact-checking has become increasingly important during major international events. With world leaders gathering in Bharat and global attention focused on the summit, even seemingly harmless photographs can be weaponized through misleading captions and stripped of their original context. The viral breakfast claim was not simply inaccurate; it was a clear example of how misinformation can manufacture a story from an otherwise ordinary image. The MEA’s clarification provides the necessary correction and reinforces a simple rule for the digital age: verify the claim before believing or amplifying it.
