Modi-Macron Video Circulates with Misleading Claims

In a recent development, a digitally manipulated video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron has been circulating on social media platforms, containing false claims about India’s Rafale jets being shot down by Pakistan.

The manipulated clip, which first appeared on Instagram on February 18, 2026, shows PM Modi purportedly admitting that Pakistan destroyed Indian Rafale fighter jets and claiming he “pleaded” with France for assistance. In the doctored footage, Modi allegedly states that after Pakistan destroyed India’s Rafale jets, “the whole world started mocking India,” and that he told President Macron that France shared responsibility for India’s predicament.

Fact-checking organization Vishvas News conducted a comprehensive investigation into the video, conclusively determining it to be a digitally altered fabrication. The investigation revealed that the original footage was taken from a diplomatic meeting between the two leaders focused on Artificial Intelligence and innovation initiatives.

The authentic video, which can be found on the BJP Delhi Facebook page, Press Trust of India’s social media accounts, and PM Modi’s official YouTube channel, shows a joint press conference held in Mumbai on February 17, 2026. During this event, Modi actually discussed President Macron’s previous invitation to the AI Action Summit in France and welcomed him to the Gateway of India in Mumbai for the India AI Impact Summit.

“My dear friend President Emmanuel Macron, delegates from both countries, and members of the media, Namaste. Last year, President Macron invited me to France for the AI Action Summit,” Modi said in his actual remarks, according to the authentic footage.

The fact-checking team employed multiple verification methods, including extracting key frames from the video and searching them using Google Lens, as well as reviewing the complete original footage from multiple reliable sources. None of the genuine videos contained any references to Pakistan or the alleged shooting down of Rafale jets.

Mumbai-based journalist Varun Singh, contacted by Vishvas News as part of their investigation, confirmed that no statements regarding Pakistan or Rafale losses were made during the diplomatic gathering.

Further investigation into the source of the misinformation revealed that the Instagram account responsible for sharing the manipulated video, ‘iamsohail.007,’ was created in October 2014 and is based in the United Arab Emirates. The account has changed its name five times and was verified in February 2026. Analysts noted that the account has previously posted inflammatory content targeting India.

This incident highlights the growing challenge of manipulated media in the digital landscape, particularly concerning high-profile diplomatic engagements. Such fabrications can potentially strain international relations and spread misinformation about sensitive defense and geopolitical matters.

The Indo-French relationship has been strengthening in recent years, particularly in defense cooperation, with the Rafale fighter jet deal being a significant component. France has emerged as one of India’s most reliable defense partners, making allegations about Rafale jet vulnerabilities particularly sensitive.

Media literacy experts continue to emphasize the importance of verifying information from official sources and being vigilant about manipulated content, especially when it involves statements from government officials on matters of national security and international relations.