The government on Thursday firmly refuted a digitally manipulated video that falsely claimed Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, had suggested “handing over Arunachal Pradesh to China” to prevent Beijing from supporting Pakistan. The fake video also alleged that the Army Chief admitted Chinese technology had destroyed Rafale jets during recent India-Pakistan tensions — a claim authorities dismissed as entirely fabricated.
According to the Fact Check Unit (FCU) of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), several Pakistani propaganda accounts have been circulating the AI-generated clip across social media platforms in an attempt to spread misinformation and erode public trust in the Indian Armed Forces. The unit stressed that General Dwivedi has issued no such statement at any point, and the content being shared is a deliberate attempt to mislead citizens.
The government highlighted that the video bears clear signs of digital manipulation, including altered visuals and misrepresented audio, typical of deepfake-based disinformation campaigns.
In its advisory, the PIB Fact Check Unit urged citizens to remain vigilant:
Do not share or engage with unverified videos or posts, especially those designed to provoke distrust.
Verify all claims through official channels such as the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army’s official communication platforms, or PIB’s fact-check resources.
Report suspicious content to help curb the spread of false narratives.
Officials reiterated that India’s defence preparedness, including the capabilities of assets like Rafale fighter jets, remains robust and uncompromised. They cautioned that such fabricated videos often aim to fuel confusion, influence public opinion, and harm national security interests.
By swiftly debunking the viral clip, the government has underscored the importance of responsible information consumption at a time when AI-enabled misinformation continues to evolve rapidly.
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