India
oi-Swastika Sruti
An image being shared on social media platforms in connection with breakfast arrangements of world leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi has been found to be fake by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) debunked a viral image purportedly showing breakfast for world leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, clarifying the food was served to reporters at the International Media Centre.
This claim became famous when an English daily published an image being circulated on X platform of food being arranged in a service box. It implied that the image represents the breakfast arrangement for world leaders at the BRICS Summit.
But the fact-checking wing of MEA found the claim to be false and revealed that the food shown in the viral image was not provided to the world leaders at the BRICS Summit venue.
#Watch | Here’s what’s on the breakfast menu for national and international media covering the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Only vegetarian food is being served.https://t.co/JKMi17Oacj pic.twitter.com/629NHg6yMD
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) September 12, 2026
MEA Labels Viral Breakfast Claim ‘Fake News’
MEA Fact Check Twitter handle reacted to the allegation by describing it as “Fake News!”
The ministry made it clear that there had been no provision of breakfast for world leaders at the BRICS Summit venue. The ministry made it clearer that the image in circulation on social media did not originate from the summit zone of world leaders.
As per the ministry, the image actually originated from the International Media Center located at Bharat Mandapam, where the reporters covering the summit are situated.
The reason why this point should be made clear is that the viral image was being propagated as an illustration of the facilities being provided to world leaders visiting the summit.
Fake News!
No breakfast was served to world leaders at the Summit Venue today. The visual is from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam. pic.twitter.com/Wkk8DILjo8
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) September 12, 2026
How the Misleading Post Spread
The controversy started when a post with the caption:
“This is what we have on the breakfast menu for the world leaders who are going to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.”
It had an image of the food arranged in a serving tray. Without the added information regarding the place where the food was being served, people would easily understand that it was breakfast for the visiting dignitaries.
The MEA clarified that the image was actually related to the International Media Center, and not the venue where the BRICS leaders were present.
The episode is another reminder of how quickly an image can acquire a misleading context when it is shared without information about its original location or purpose.
What Was the Food Actually For?
The MEA said the viral visual came from the International Media Centre at Bharat Mandapam.
The media centre is being used by journalists covering the BRICS Summit. Therefore, the food shown in the photograph should not be described as a breakfast menu for the heads of government and other leaders attending the summit.
The ministry’s clarification effectively separates the arrangements for the media from those made for the visiting leaders.
India Hosts the 18th BRICS Summit
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026, as the current chair of the grouping. India’s presidency is centred on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The theme reflects New Delhi’s focus on strengthening cooperation among BRICS countries while placing greater emphasis on resilience, innovation, sustainable development and the priorities of the Global South. India’s BRICS chairship began on January 1, 2026.
The summit brings together leaders from BRICS member countries for discussions on political, economic and global issues.
PM Modi to Host Gala Dinner
While the viral breakfast claim has been debunked, a formal dinner is part of the summit programme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to host a gala dinner for the leaders of BRICS member countries at Bharat Mandapam at 7:30 pm on Saturday.
The dinner is expected to be among the key ceremonial engagements during India’s hosting of the summit.
