Pakistani propaganda handles are circulating a digitally manipulated video of Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, falsely claiming he advocated handing over Arunachal Pradesh to China and admitted that Chinese technology had destroyed Rafale jets during India–Pakistan tensions. The Indian government has firmly dismissed the footage as completely fabricated.
On Thursday, November 27, the government’s fact-check unit issued a detailed clarification, warning citizens against engaging with or sharing the doctored clip. According to PIB Fact-Check, the viral video is an AI-generated deepfake designed to fuel misinformation and erode public trust in India’s defence institutions.
“The Chief of the Army Staff has made no such statement,” the unit said, adding that the clip was being pushed by multiple Pakistani accounts attempting to influence narratives around India–China and India–Pakistan relations. It urged users to rely solely on verified sources for defence-related information.
Deepfake Created Using Real Footage From INS Mahe Event
Investigators revealed that the falsely circulated clip overlays fabricated audio onto real footage from General Dwivedi’s address at the commissioning ceremony of INS Mahe at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on November 24.
The altered version falsely claims that India should consider “giving Arunachal Pradesh to China” to maintain peace on the northern borders and alleges that Rafale jets were brought down due to Chinese technological interference. PIB clarified that these assertions are entirely baseless.
In the original, unedited recording, General Dwivedi speaks about India’s advancements in indigenous shipbuilding. In the portion misused for the deepfake, he clearly says:
“It is a moment of immense pride and a profound sense of honour to be present at the commissioning ceremony of INS Mahe... India is now capable of designing and building complex and modern warships on its own.”
His full address focuses on self-reliance, India’s naval modernisation, and the Navy’s evolution into what he termed a “Builders’ Navy.”
