BRICS Health Row: MEA Denies Reports of Leaders Falling Sick After South African President falls Ill; Unverified Xi Stroke Claims Surface

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been temporarily withdrawn from public engagements due to ill health after returning from the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, according to an official statement issued by the South African Presidency.

The development comes as India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed social media claims suggesting that multiple world leaders had fallen sick after attending the summit, describing the reports as “fake.”

Ramaphosa advised to rest and recover

In a statement dated September 16, the Presidency said Ramaphosa had returned from India on Monday and was advised by his medical team to rest and recover. It did not disclose the nature of his illness or specify when he would resume public engagements.

“Where possible, the President has asked the respective Ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements,” the statement said.

The announcement confirms that Ramaphosa is taking a temporary break from public duties. However, the statement does not establish any connection between his illness and his participation in the BRICS Summit.

MEA calls reports of multiple leaders falling sick ‘fake’

On Thursday, September 17, the MEA’s fact-checking unit issued a warning on social media against posts claiming that several world leaders had fallen ill after attending the BRICS Summit in India.

“Fake Alert!!! We caution against such malicious posts on social media platforms,” the ministry said in its post on X.

The ministry’s statement came amid online speculation involving the health of international leaders following the summit. The official announcement regarding Ramaphosa’s temporary withdrawal from public engagements was issued separately by the South African Presidency.

Unverified claims emerge about Xi Jinping’s health

Meanwhile, unverified claims about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s health have also circulated online. Wanjun Xie, a Chinese dissident associated with the China Democracy Party, alleged on social media that Xi fainted during the BRICS Summit and later suffered a severe ischaemic stroke.

Xie further claimed that Xi was transported to Beijing for emergency treatment and underwent surgery. These allegations have not been independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation from Chinese or Indian authorities that Xi suffered a stroke, was hospitalised or underwent surgery.

Xi’s absence from BRICS gala dinner fuels speculation

Xi attended the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, he did not attend the gala dinner hosted by Modi, with reports suggesting that he returned to his hotel to rest after a busy day.

His absence was not accompanied by an official statement citing a medical emergency.

While Ramaphosa’s ill health has been officially confirmed by the South African Presidency, the claims regarding Xi’s alleged stroke remain unsubstantiated. The MEA’s warning also underlines the need for caution when assessing social media reports linking the health of multiple leaders to the BRICS Summit.