As tensions in West Asia rise, India is facing a surge in online misinformation, largely traced to Pakistan-based social media accounts, after a digitally manipulated video of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar circulated widely online.
According to reports, authorities warn that coordinated propaganda using AI-generated deepfakes and edited videos is increasingly aimed at India’s political leaders, armed forces, and diplomatic positions.
Government fact-checkers say this activity has intensified recently, coinciding with heightened geopolitical tensions, and view it as part of a wider information warfare strategy designed to manipulate public perception of India’s stance in the region.
Deepfake Video of Jaishankar Goes Viral
This comes after External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday briefed Parliament in the Rajya Sabha regarding the “situation in West Asia.” However, as news of the parliamentary session spread on social media, a false video claiming that Dr S Jaishankar said “India would not tolerate Muslim countries harassing Israel” began circulating online.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) later fact-checked the video and found it to be an AI-generated deepfake. The clip falsely also alleged that India requested $3 billion from Israel for the Afghan Taliban. The PIB confirmed that these claims were entirely fabricated.
Taking to X, PIB wrote in a post, “Deepfake Video Alert: Pakistani propaganda accounts are sharing a digitally manipulated video of the External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar with false claims alleging that he said India would not tolerate Muslim countries harassing Israel and that Israel recently granted $3 billion to the Afghan Taliban at India’s request.
”However, PIB clarified that the video is fake and AI-generated. “Beware! This is an #AI-generated deepfake video shared to mislead the public. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar has made NO such statement,” the post added. PIB also attached the original YouTube link to the full parliamentary session in its post so viewers could verify the claims.
This incident reflects a broader pattern of misinformation campaigns aimed at misrepresenting India’s diplomatic position and influencing public opinion during sensitive international developments.
Surge in Misinformation and AI-Generated Propaganda
As per reports, government data shows that the PIB Fact Check unit has debunked over 2,400 false or misleading pieces of information in the last four years, with more than 800 identified in the past year alone. Many of these relate to national security and foreign policy. Fact-checkers note that misinformation spikes sharply during crises.
For instance, during the 2025 military tensions following India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack under “Operation Sindoor,” authorities blocked over 1,400 URLs spreading anti-India propaganda, most originating from Pakistan-linked networks. Many posts are designed to create panic, amplify confusion, and shape public perception at critical moments.
The Jaishankar deepfake is not an isolated case. Earlier AI-generated videos falsely portrayed an Indian Air Force officer criticising aircraft maintenance standards and blaming the government for accidents. Investigations have also found repeated use of AI-cloned voices and manipulated footage of military leaders to spread misleading narratives about defense readiness and internal dissent.
Old Footage and Hybrid Warfare Tactics
Misinformation campaigns often use not only deepfakes but also recycled videos and images. In one example, footage of the 2020 Beirut port explosion was falsely circulated as a Pakistani missile strike on India. During Operation Sindoor, viral posts falsely claimed drone interceptions, destruction of military bases, and closure of airports, all later debunked.
Security analysts describe these campaigns as hybrid warfare, where information manipulation accompanies real-world geopolitical crises. Research shows that AI-generated videos and repurposed battlefield footage can spread quickly, making real-time verification challenging.
In response, the Indian government has strengthened fact-checking efforts involving the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and the PIB to monitor viral content and issue clarifications promptly. Citizens are urged to verify information from official sources before sharing online, as propaganda techniques grow more sophisticated.
Even as West Asia tensions evolve, authorities stress that countering digital misinformation is becoming as crucial as developments on the geopolitical front.
