The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday dismissed as fake a letter circulating widely on social media that purported to show External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warning the French Embassy about a leak of sensitive information related to the Rafale aircraft deal. The ministry’s official fact-checking handle issued a clear rebuttal, urging citizens to remain vigilant against fabricated documents and coordinated misinformation.

The letter, which appeared on the social media platform X, was originally posted by an account named ‘Discourse Lab’, claiming that the Indian government was “struggling to contain the fallout of leaked communication” regarding the Rafale naval aircraft delivery timeline. The fabricated document, dated November 26, 2025, was addressed to Thierry Mathou, the French ambassador to India, and bore a forged signature of the external affairs minister.

In the fake communication, the author claimed that certain Rafale-related exchanges had found their way into the public domain, creating “unforeseen challenges.” The letter went on to emphasise the “professionalism and discretion” that had characterised India’s interactions with France, suggesting that future communications would continue to be handled with care.

The MEA’s fact-check team swiftly intervened, stating unequivocally that the letter was not genuine and warning social media users to “always stay alert against disinformation.” The prompt response appeared aimed at containing potential diplomatic confusion and preventing the spread of misleading narratives at a time when fake documents often gain traction online.

The Rafale fighter jet deal has been politically sensitive since 2016, when the NDA government signed a ₹59,000-crore contract for 36 jets from Dassault Aviation. Over the years, the deal has drawn scrutiny and generated multiple allegations—from claims of inflated prices to suggestions of corruption and irregularities. The controversy intensified further when a French media outlet reported that Dassault had paid €1 million to alleged middleman Sushen Gupta.

Both the Indian government and Dassault Aviation have consistently rejected accusations of wrongdoing. New Delhi has maintained that the deal ensured faster delivery and enhanced operational readiness, while Dassault has reiterated that the agreement passed through comprehensive compliance checks.

The latest episode, involving a forged diplomatic letter, highlights the growing challenge of combating misinformation that leverages official-looking documents to create confusion. With social media continuing to amplify unverified claims at high speed, the MEA’s warning serves as a reminder of the need for careful verification, especially on issues involving defence and national security.

The ministry’s intervention underscores a broader trend of governments proactively countering false narratives in real time—an increasingly critical step in safeguarding public trust and preventing the misuse of sensitive geopolitical issues for misinformation campaigns.