Did Maldives’ Defence Ministry building display portrait of Modi with ‘SURRENDER’? Fact Check

CLAIM: Image shows Maldives’ Ministry of Defence building displaying a giant portrait of Indian PM Modi with wording “SURRENDER”.

CONCLUSION: Misrepresentation. The image is digitally manipulated and incorrect.

RATING: Misrepresentation —

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A viral image circulating on social media shows a large portrait of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed on the side of a multi-storey government building, purportedly of the Maldives’ Ministry of Defence. Above the portrait, the word “SURRENDER” is boldly written, suggesting a symbolic insult or political message directed at the Indian leader.

The image has been widely shared across Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, with users claiming that it reflects rising tensions between India and the Maldives. Some posts further allege that the banner was officially installed during Modi’s visit to the Maldives in July 2025, sparking widespread criticism and commentary online.

ये मालदीव के रक्षा मंत्रालय की बिल्डिंग है ॥तस्वीर भारत के प्रधानमंत्री की है॥ नाम सरेंडर लिखा है ? pic.twitter.com/8V9SY7Qnsk

— Nidhi Singh Rathore (@NehaSinghratho) July 25, 2025

यह तस्वीर एक इमारत की नहीं, बल्कि एक मानसिकता की है – सरेंडर??

मालदीव के रक्षा मंत्रालय की दीवार पर भारत के प्रधानमंत्री की तस्वीर लगी है, और उस पर लिखा है यदि SURRENDER लिखा है??

तो क्या अब भी कोई संदेह है कि अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भारत की छवि कैसे मज़ाक बन चुकी है?

👉 क्या ये… pic.twitter.com/YqmcpJIYPo

— Manish Jaiky (@ManishJaiky) July 25, 2025

Translated the Post Reads:

This picture is not of a building, but of a mindset – surrender??

A picture of India’s Prime Minister is displayed on the wall of the Maldives’ Defense Ministry, and it has the word SURRENDER written on it??

So, is there still any doubt about how India’s image has become a mockery on the international stage?

FACT CHECK

DigitEYE India took this claim and decided to fact-check it. When the team conducted Google reverse image search, it was found that the viral photo showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s portrait with the word “SURRENDER” above it has been digitally altered. The original image was taken during PM Modi’s visit to the Maldives in July 2025, where his photograph was displayed on the façade of the Maldives Ministry of Defence building as part of an official diplomatic event.

Further check on official websites of Indian and Maldives’ government sources revealed that the word “SURRENDER” does not appear in any authentic version of the image released by official government sources. No official source on either side has released or acknowledged such an image, and no credible media has reported any such incident. Hence, the altered version appears to be a deliberate attempt to mislead viewers owing to the past bilateral tensions between the two countries but no more.

Moreover, the original image was meant for temporary display at the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Headquarters. Indian PM Narendra Modi’s picture was displayed while he was taking the Guard of Honour as a State guest at the nearby Republic Square. Here’s the official X post from the ministry.

His Excellency Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi was warmly welcomed by His Excellency President Dr. @MMuizzu at Republic Square, where he was honored with a Guard of Honor by #MNDF on his state visit to Maldives. pic.twitter.com/BArmFGV7bx

— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) July 25, 2025

Hence, the claim is false and misrepresentation.