ChannelIAM Fact Check has investigated a viral claim circulating on social media that India has purchased 28 islands from the Maldives. This claim, which has been widely shared on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), is false. Here’s what we found:
The Viral Claim
The misleading posts allege that India has bought 28 islands from the Maldives for 923 crores. These claims were amplified by a Facebook user named Markandey Pandey, who posted on August 12, asserting that the Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to the Maldives was part of this alleged transaction. The post also claimed that Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu had personally handed over the islands to India, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support.
Fact-Check Findings
ChannelIAM Fact Check delved into the details of these claims. Our investigation revealed that while Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar did visit the Maldives from August 9 to 11, there was no truth to the assertion that India had purchased any islands.
- Official Visit: During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. This meeting, however, was inaccurately portrayed in the viral post. A genuine photo from the meeting was misinterpreted to support the false claim.
- Actual Engagement: The true purpose of the visit was to celebrate the completion of water and sewerage projects funded by India. These projects cover 28 islands in the Maldives, not a transaction of island ownership. This was confirmed by a tweet from President Muizzu and a press release from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
- Public Statements: On August 10, President Muizzu posted about the successful completion of these development projects, highlighting the continued cooperation between the two nations in areas like security, development, and cultural exchange. Dr. Jaishankar echoed these sentiments in his social media posts and official statements.
The viral claim of India buying 28 islands from the Maldives is a falsehood that has been debunked by thorough fact-checking. The recent visit by Indian Foreign Minister Dr. Jaishankar was related to celebrating the completion of development projects, not any land acquisition. It’s essential for social media users to verify the authenticity of such claims and rely on credible sources before sharing potentially misleading information.
