New Delhi: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has debunked a viral video that falsely shows Upendra Dwivedi claiming India shared intelligence with Israel about an Iranian warship. PIB confirmed the clip is an AI-generated deepfake being circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts.
🚨 Deepfake Video Alert
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
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) March 9, 2026
Deepfake clip falsely claims India helped track Iranian warship
In the fabricated video, Upendra Dwivedi appears to say that under a “new strategic deal” with Israel, India informed Israeli authorities about the location of an Iranian naval vessel, identified in some posts as IRIS Dena, after it entered international waters. The clip further alleges that the information allowed a United States submarine to strike the vessel.
Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit clarified that the Army Chief never made any such statement and described the video as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
The original footage is from General Dwivedi’s address at the Raisina Dialogue, where he spoke about India monitoring regional developments while maintaining neutrality. The manipulated clip shows clear signs of tampering, including mismatched lip movements, unnatural phrasing, and AI-generated audio overlays.
PIB warns of growing AI-driven disinformation targeting India
PIB has urged the public to verify suspicious content through official channels and report misinformation via WhatsApp (+91 8799711259) or email at factcheck@pib.gov.in.
The fake video surfaced amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel and has been widely circulated on X by accounts linked to foreign disinformation networks. Independent fact-checkers have also confirmed that the clip is a deepfake.
Many users on social media have called for stricter action against propaganda accounts, with some demanding that handles based in Pakistan that spread such content be blocked in India.
Officials say the incident reflects a broader trend. Over the past year, several deepfake videos targeting Upendra Dwivedi have circulated online, including false claims related to Operation Sindoor and internal military policies. Each case has been debunked by the Press Information Bureau, underscoring the increasing use of AI-driven disinformation to target Indian institutions and shape public perception.
