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In a disturbing trend of digital misinformation, a deepfake video falsely depicting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticizing India’s diplomatic position has gone viral on social media platforms, prompting concerns about the growing sophistication of AI-generated content targeting political figures.
The manipulated video shows Tharoor apparently speaking to India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai, making claims about Pakistan’s mediation in a supposed US-Israel-Iran conflict. In the fabricated footage, Tharoor appears to say: “If you saw Donald Trump’s latest tweet crediting Pakistan with stepping in to end the Iranian war, you know why I am in shock. It feels like a massive strategic failure by the Indian government.”
The doctored clip continues with the MP seemingly lamenting India’s diminishing global influence while Pakistan gains prominence on the world stage. “Pakistan is taking centre stage, rebranding itself as a global net provider of stability. Meanwhile, India is bleeding diplomatic capital and rapidly losing its influence,” the fabricated version of Tharoor states.
Adding fuel to the fire, Pakistani journalist Kamran Khan shared the video with the provocative caption: “The Great Indian Debacle: Pakistan Wins Global Respect,” further amplifying its reach across borders.
However, an investigation by India Today Fact Check has conclusively determined the video to be a sophisticated deepfake. The fabricated clip was created using footage from a legitimate interview conducted on December 26, 2025, titled “Shashi Tharoor Defends Praising PM Modi’s Diplomacy.” While visual elements including the setting, attire, and background matched the original interview, the statements attributed to Tharoor were entirely fabricated.
In the authentic interview, Tharoor actually discussed what he called a year of “Trumpian turbulence,” highlighting concerns about U.S. policy unpredictability, Pakistan’s military positioning following an operation, changing sentiments in Bangladesh, and ongoing issues with China. None of the inflammatory remarks about Pakistan’s diplomatic ascendancy appeared in the original conversation.
Technical analysis of the video using Hiya Deepfake Voice Detector further confirmed suspicions, with the software indicating the voice was likely synthetic. The manipulation represents a concerning advancement in deepfake technology, where existing footage is repurposed with artificially generated speech that mimics the target’s voice patterns and mannerisms.
Tharoor himself addressed the situation on April 9 through his X (formerly Twitter) account, alerting followers that several deepfake videos misrepresenting his statements were circulating online. When contacted by India Today Fact Check, Tharoor’s office confirmed the video was fabricated and noted the MP had already clarified the matter on social media.
This incident marks the third deepfake targeting Tharoor in the past two months alone. Previous manipulated videos showed him falsely praising Pakistan’s cricket performance and diplomatic efforts, suggesting a coordinated campaign to associate the Indian politician with pro-Pakistan sentiments.
The proliferation of these sophisticated deepfakes raises serious concerns about the potential impact of AI-generated misinformation on public discourse, particularly in politically sensitive contexts like India-Pakistan relations. As detection technologies struggle to keep pace with increasingly convincing forgeries, the incident highlights the growing challenge of maintaining information integrity in the digital age.
Media literacy experts warn that such deepfakes can be particularly effective when they align with existing political narratives or tensions, making viewers more likely to accept them as authentic without verification. The timing and content of these manipulated videos appear strategically designed to inflame nationalist sentiments and create diplomatic friction between neighboring nations.
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10 Comments
This incident highlights the need for stronger safeguards and regulations to address the growing threat of deepfake technology. We must find ways to protect the integrity of our public discourse and prevent the erosion of trust in our institutions.
You’re right. Policymakers and tech companies need to work together to develop robust solutions to identify and mitigate the spread of deepfakes and other forms of manipulated media.
This is a concerning case of deepfake technology being used to spread misinformation. It’s crucial that we remain vigilant and fact-check claims before sharing them, especially when they involve prominent political figures.
Absolutely. With the increasing sophistication of AI-generated content, we must be extra cautious about the veracity of online information.
The growth of deepfake technology is a concerning trend, as it can be used to undermine trust in our institutions and leaders. This incident highlights the importance of media literacy and fact-checking in the digital age.
Absolutely. We must be vigilant and critical consumers of online information, and hold those responsible for creating and spreading misinformation accountable.
While the video may appear convincing, it’s clear that it’s a fabrication. Shashi Tharoor is known for his nuanced and thoughtful commentary, and the claims made in the video do not align with his record.
Agreed. It’s disappointing to see such blatant attempts to mislead the public. We need to call out these kinds of disinformation campaigns whenever they arise.
It’s troubling to see how quickly and widely this fabricated video has spread. We need to be more diligent in verifying the authenticity of claims, especially when they involve high-profile figures like Shashi Tharoor.
Agreed. The ease with which misinformation can now be created and disseminated is alarming. We must remain vigilant and support efforts to combat the spread of deepfakes and other forms of digital manipulation.