Viral video of Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi ‘admitting’ India shared Iranian ship’s location is fake
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A video showing India’s Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi is being widely shared on social media with a serious claim. Users say the Army Chief “admitted” that India shared the location of an Iranian naval ship with Israel, leading to its destruction.
The clip, which is around 57 seconds long, is circulating at a time when tensions remain high in West Asia, with the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
Claim being shared
In the viral video, Dwivedi appears to say that India informed Israel about the exact location of an Iranian naval ship after it moved out of Indian waters. The statement also suggests that India had no role in the attack but shared intelligence as part of a strategic understanding with Israel.
Several users on X posted the clip with captions claiming that India had “betrayed” Iran. One such post by an account named GPX gained over 43,000 views and was reshared more than 400 times. Another account, GeopolPt, also shared the same claim, receiving thousands of views.
The video was also sent to fact-checkers for verification through WhatsApp.
Background of the incident
The claim is linked to reports that the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena was attacked on March 4 near the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The ship had earlier taken part in a multinational naval exercise in Visakhapatnam and was returning to Iran. Around 130 personnel were said to be on board.
What the investigation found
A closer look at the viral video shows a ticker reading “Raisina Dialogue 2026 × Firstpost.”
Using this detail, a search led to a full interview of Upendra Dwivedi uploaded by Firstpost on March 7. The video is titled “India’s Army Chief Speaks on Op Sindoor, Pakistan and Future of Warfare | Raisina Dialogue 2026.”
In this 21-minute interview, Dwivedi speaks with Harsh V. Pant about Operation Sindoor, Pakistan and changes in modern warfare.
🚨 Deepfake Video Alert
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) March 9, 2026
Pakistani propaganda accounts are sharing a digitally manipulated video of the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, making false claims that when the Iranian ship crossed the international waters, as Israeli strategic allies, it was our duty to… pic.twitter.com/itQ63pXGuF
However, there is no mention anywhere in the interview about Iran, Israel, the United States, or any Iranian naval ship being attacked.
This makes it clear that the viral clip has been edited using footage from the interview and altered to create a false narrative.
AI analysis and official response
The viral clip was also checked using Hive Moderation, an AI detection tool. The result showed a 99.9% probability that the audio in the video was generated using artificial intelligence.
Further, the Press Information Bureau’s fact-check wing confirmed that the video is digitally manipulated. In a post on X, PIB Fact Check stated that the clip of the Army Chief is fake.
Conclusion
The viral video does not show a real statement by Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi. It is a manipulated clip created using an original interview and AI-generated audio.
The claim that India shared the location of an Iranian naval ship with Israel is false.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
